Unattended Children Policy

The library is glad your children are here! We want to be a welcoming and safe place for you and your children to enjoy all of the informational, educational and recreational services we provide. The following policies help create this type of environment.

• Parents and caregivers are responsible for the safety, behavior and supervision of your children at all times in the library and on library property.
• The library does not provide childcare. Library staff cannot be responsible for unattended children. The library cannot monitor the whereabouts or behavior of your children.
• Be aware that the library is a heavily-used public facility. Therefore, unsupervised children can be at risk. If your children will be in the library unattended, the following steps are recommended to minimize risk:
  
  
  • Consider whether your children are mature enough to care for themselves and younger siblings.
  • Verify library hours and set a clear time and location to pick up your children before the library closes.
  • Make sure your children know emergency contact information, as well as their full names, phone number and address.
  • Discuss basic safety rules, especially "stranger danger," which is the idea that strangers are inherently dangerous and should not be approached or spoken with because of their potential for harm.


• If unattended children are disruptive, habitually left alone for long periods of time, or deemed at risk of coming to harm, an effort will be made by library staff to locate the responsible adult. If necessary, appropriate law enforcement or child protective authorities will be notified.
• The library is concerned for the safety of your children. However, after closing time, library staff cannot wait with your children until you arrive. If children are left after library closing hours, staff will notify the police who will keep your children until a responsible adult is contacted.

Rev. 07/10