Unattended and / or Disruptive Children
Unattended Children
Children under the age of 9 may not be left unattended anywhere in the Library. Children under age 9 must be accompanied and directly supervised by a responsible care giver at all times, in all areas of the Library, and on its grounds.
Unattended children over the age of 9 are free to utilize the Library as long as needed, provided their behavior is not disruptive to other patrons or staff members. Parents or care givers are responsible for their children's behavior on Library premises. The Youth Services staff is committed to help children with activities related to the Library. Library staff cannot, however, nor is it their responsibility to, serve as babysitters, teachers or disciplinarians.
If a parent or care giver of a child cannot be located or if the Library is closing, Library staff is authorized to call the police. Two Library staff members will wait with the child until the police arrive.
Disruptive Children
If a child is disrupting the library, staff should intervene, advise child to stop the behavior. If the disturbance continues, and staff has to issue a second warning, the child should also be told at that time that any further disturbances will be grounds for ejection. Public service staff should, at this time, inform the in-charge staff that 2 warnings have been given, and very clearly explain all details which have led to giving 2 warnings.
If the disturbance continues, the in-charge person should be asked to intervene. The in-charge person should ask for the child's name and telephone number, and should attempt to contact the child's parents or responsible care giver. If the parents or care giver is not available, the child will have to wait for their parents or care giver to pick them up.
Children should not be sent home alone, unless staff has spoken directly to parents or care giver and they have authorized the child to do so.
See also the Denial of Service Policy.
