Unattended Child Policy

WNPL Board of Trustees
Policy 3063 Unattended Child Policy
Adopted: 06/13/2006
Reviewed/Revised: 01/15/2008

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s safety and well-being while their children are visiting the library or the bookmobile. The Library District cannot and does not assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of unattended children. The library staff cannot observe all patron contacts made on the premises.

To help ensure the safety and comfort of children using the library or the bookmobile and to maintain an atmosphere conducive to reading and study, the Board of Trustees of the Warren-Newport Public Library District has adopted the following policy:

1. The Warren-Newport Public Library District is not responsible for children left unattended.
2. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s behavior in the library or on the bookmobile.  The library staff will assist children with using the library and bookmobile, but will not supervise or baby-sit for children.
3. Children under eight (8) years old must not be left alone in the library.  A responsible person (parent, guardian, sibling, or baby-sitter, age 12 or older) must be in attendance in the same department of the library as the children and must maintain an awareness of the children’s location and activity.
4. A child of any age who has a medical condition that requires substantial monitoring must not be left alone in the library. A responsible adult (parent, guardian, sibling, or baby-sitter) must be in attendance in the same department of the library as the child and must maintain an awareness of the child’s location and activity.
5. Children over eight (8) years old, if left alone, must be involved in a library program or have library-related study or research needs.
6. Unattended children must have money for the pay telephone and the ability to contact a responsible person for transportation needs.
7. Parents or guardians are responsible for picking up their children prior to the library closing. Under no circumstances will a staff member drive any children home.
8. If the library is closing and if the parents of unattended children under the age of twelve (12) cannot be located, the staff will call the police who will assume responsibility for the child(ren).
9. The use of the library on a regular basis as a required place for children in lieu of daycare services is discouraged.