Youth Safety

Youth Safety Policy

The library welcomes youth to use its facilities and services.  Responsibility for the behavior and well being of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or caregiver assigned by the parent/guardian (hereafter referred to as adult or responsible adult) and not with the library personnel.

Library staff members cannot supervise children in the library.

The safety of all children left alone in the library is a serious concern.  Young children left on their own often become frightened or anxious.

CHILDREN, UNATTENDED

Children under the age of 12 years may not be left unattended by an adult (18 years or older) when in any part of the library.  If children under the age of 12 are found without an adult, staff will attempt to locate the parent or other caregiver.  If the parent or caregiver cannot be located in the building or at home within 30 minutes, the police department will be contacted to pick up the child.

PRESCHOOLER, PROGRAMS

During storytimes or other programs, adults who do not attend the program with the child must remain in the library and must return to the storytime area by the end of the program.

YOUTH IN THE LIBRARY

No public place, including the Library, can guarantee the safety of children. Responsible adults are reminded that as a facility open to the public, anyone may enter and use the facilities.  Therefore, it is recommended that even youth over 12 years of age be accompanied by a parent or other caregiver when visiting the library.   

UNATTENDED YOUTH AT CLOSING

When youth over the age of 12 visit the library without an adult they should have definite arrangements to be picked up by closing time.   Staff is not permitted to remain after hours with an unattended child or to give children a ride home.  If a child is left unattended in the library at closing, the staff will attempt to locate the parents or caregiver.  For the safety of the child, the staff will not leave a child under the age of 12, or older children where circumstances merit, outside to wait on a ride.  If a parent or caregiver cannot be reached by the time the library is to close, the police department will be called to escort the child home or keep the child until parents can be reached.