Unattended Children: An unattended child is any child age 8 or under using the library unaccompanied by a responsible adult such as a parent, guardian, teacher, other adult caregiver or a responsible child age 14 or older.
1. Children age 4 and under must always be closely supervised “within sight” by a responsible adult or child age 14 or older.
2. While parents/caregivers are accessing the computers in the adult area of the library, your children, up to age 8, must be directly supervised (in the same room or area of the library). They may not be left unattended in the children’s area of the library. If the child’s behavior is inappropriate (running around, making excess noise) you as the caregiver will be asked to leave the computer and accompany your children from the library. As caregiver, you are expected to have your children behave in a manner conducive to maintaining an atmosphere appropriate for all patrons.
3. During library sponsored programs for children age 8 and under, parents and/or caregivers must remain in the building.
4. Children under the age of 6, who use the Internet, must have an adult or responsible child over the age of 14, who can assist with their searching and help with their spelling.
5. Children must know how to reach an adult in case of emergency; both children and adults need to be aware of library hours.
6. Staff members may not give a child a ride home.
A parent or caregiver must make arrangements to have unattended children and teens picked up at the Library 10 (ten) minutes prior to closing. Please see posted schedule of hours Library is open.
The Library staff does not leave children and teens under 16 alone after the library closes. If the library is closing at a regular time or in an emergency situation, and it cannot be verified that someone is on the way to pick up the child or if staff is unable to locate parent/caregiver in the building, after a period of 15 minutes, the staff will notify the Township Police Department.
Although it is recognized that many times young people rely on other means of transportation besides parents, it is the PARENT/CAREGIVER’S RESPONSIBILITY to be aware of the Library’s closing hours and to make sure the child is picked up immediately.
1. If an unattended teen under 16 or child is waiting to be picked up, at least two staff members should stay with the child until the caregiver/parent arrives.
2. Staff will be paid for the time spent with the child.
3. Staff is to file an incident report every time an unattended child is left at the library after closing, with notification to the parent/caregiver to be more prompt. Further infraction of the policy might result in the child not being allowed unattended access to the library.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, October 30, 2006.
November 27, 2006 3:50 PM
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