MARTINSBURG COMMUNITY LIBRARY UNATTENDED CHILD POLICY
The Martinsburg Public Library welcomes and encourages children to use the facilities and services. The Martinsburg Library employees, however, are not responsible for the supervision of children and young adults left unattended by their parents or caregivers, but should observe young patrons carefully to ensure their safety within reason. The following policy provides guidelines and expectations for both library staff and patrons regarding unattended children within the library facilities.
Adopted 11/17/14 Updated 9/19/22
The Martinsburg Public Library welcomes and encourages children to use the facilities and services. The Martinsburg Library employees, however, are not responsible for the supervision of children and young adults left unattended by their parents or caregivers, but should observe young patrons carefully to ensure their safety within reason. The following policy provides guidelines and expectations for both library staff and patrons regarding unattended children within the library facilities.
- 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.
- Patrons with children are 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.
- 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 Updated 9/19/22