Policy: Children in the Library

The library welcomes children of all ages. Our goal is to provide a clean, safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for all library users.

To ensure the safety of children in the library, parents and/or adult caregivers are responsible for their child’s care, behavior and safety.

Children in need of supervision must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. Children ages 5 and under or children under the grade level of kindergarten, must be actively supervised by a parent/caregiver.

The library cannot serve as long-term or short-term childcare. The library is a public building where people enter and leave freely without monitoring.

Library staff will refer to this policy when necessary, including in response to the following situations:

1. An unattended child is found frightened or crying in the library.

2. An unattended child is perceived to be endangering him or herself, or that another person in the library poses a perceived threat to the unattended child.

3. An unattended child exhibits specific inappropriate behavior.

4. An unattended child has not been met by a responsible caregiver at closing time.

If a safety or behavioral concern is determined, library staff will attempt to contact the parent/caregiver. If that parent/caregiver cannot be reached within 15 minutes, the child may be asked to leave the premises or, if under 12 years of age, may be placed in the care of local law enforcement.

Children under 13 may not use the library terraces without active supervision of a parent or adult caregiver.