Martinsburg Community Library Unattended Child Policy
The Martinsburg Public Library welcomes children to use its facilities and services. However, the care, safety and behavior of children using the library is the responsibility of the parent, guardian or a caregiver
· The library is not responsible for the safety or well-being of any patron beyond the extent reasonably expected of a public facility. 911 will be called in an emergency if needed.
· The library staff does not provide care or supervision of children in the library except to the extent needed to uphold the library rules of conduct and use.
· Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for the appropriate behavior of their children in the library.
· Children under the age 8 must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent, guardian or other responsible caregiver. Children at least 12 years of age may provide brief periods of supervision while an adult caregiver is at the restroom, checking out a book, using the computer, etc.
· Children ages 8 and older and vulnerable adults who can understand and follow the Behavior Policy and who can care for themselves are allowed to be in the library unattended, However, the parent/caregiver is still responsible for the behavior and the well-being of the child. They should have contact information for someone who can assist them in an emergency. The Library assumes no responsibility for the whereabouts of an unattended child who has been asked to leave Library property. Staff does not monitor the arrival or departure of any child from a program or the building.
· Children ages 8 and older doing research and working on reports are permitted to use the library for periods of time as long as they are not interfering with those around them.
· The library staff is not responsible for any child who is left unattended.
· The library staff is not responsible for preventing children from leaving the library or its grounds.
· Children of any age with mental, physical, or emotional problems or vulnerable adults which render supervision necessary shall be accompanied by a suitable caregiver at all times.
· When the safety of an unattended child is in doubt, or if the library is closing and a parent, guardian or other caregiver cannot be located, library staff are authorized to call the Martinsburg Police Department and two members of staff will stay with the child until the police arrive. Under no circumstance will staff take young people home.
· Violations of this policy are grounds for suspension of library privileges.
· The library management will have the final determination if a child may use the library unattended.
Adopted 11/17/14
The Martinsburg Public Library welcomes children to use its facilities and services. However, the care, safety and behavior of children using the library is the responsibility of the parent, guardian or a caregiver
· The library is not responsible for the safety or well-being of any patron beyond the extent reasonably expected of a public facility. 911 will be called in an emergency if needed.
· The library staff does not provide care or supervision of children in the library except to the extent needed to uphold the library rules of conduct and use.
· Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for the appropriate behavior of their children in the library.
· Children under the age 8 must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent, guardian or other responsible caregiver. Children at least 12 years of age may provide brief periods of supervision while an adult caregiver is at the restroom, checking out a book, using the computer, etc.
· Children ages 8 and older and vulnerable adults who can understand and follow the Behavior Policy and who can care for themselves are allowed to be in the library unattended, However, the parent/caregiver is still responsible for the behavior and the well-being of the child. They should have contact information for someone who can assist them in an emergency. The Library assumes no responsibility for the whereabouts of an unattended child who has been asked to leave Library property. Staff does not monitor the arrival or departure of any child from a program or the building.
· Children ages 8 and older doing research and working on reports are permitted to use the library for periods of time as long as they are not interfering with those around them.
· The library staff is not responsible for any child who is left unattended.
· The library staff is not responsible for preventing children from leaving the library or its grounds.
· Children of any age with mental, physical, or emotional problems or vulnerable adults which render supervision necessary shall be accompanied by a suitable caregiver at all times.
· When the safety of an unattended child is in doubt, or if the library is closing and a parent, guardian or other caregiver cannot be located, library staff are authorized to call the Martinsburg Police Department and two members of staff will stay with the child until the police arrive. Under no circumstance will staff take young people home.
· Violations of this policy are grounds for suspension of library privileges.
· The library management will have the final determination if a child may use the library unattended.
Adopted 11/17/14
