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The staff of Tiverton Library Services seeks to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for all children. However, the safety of young children left alone at the library is a serious concern. No public place, including the library, can guarantee the safety of children. Each year in the United States, thousands of children are abducted and never found. Library staff cannot know if children are leaving with parents or with strangers. Library personnel are not childcare providers and cannot be responsible for what may happen to unaccompanied children in a public building open to all people. Therefore, parents and caregivers, not library staff, are responsible for the actions and safety of children visiting the library. |
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For the protection and well being of children who enjoy the library, the following policy has been established. |
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No child should be dropped off at the library before the library is open. | |
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During storytime and other programs, adults who do not attend the program with the child must remain in the building and must return to the storytime area by the end of the program. | |
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All children under 11 years of age must be accompanied at all times during the library visit by a parent or other caregiver aged 13 or older. | |
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Children 11- 14 years of age may be left unattended at the library for a period of time not to exceed two hours to research an assignment, complete a homework task, attend a library program, select books and read in the library or to conduct business conducive to the library environment. The child must know how to reach the parent or responsible adult in case of emergency. | |
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Children are expected to adhere to the same rules of conduct expected of adults while on library property. Children engaged in disruptive behavior will receive a warning. If the behavior continues the patron will be expelled from the library for the day. Should the behavior continue, the parents will be notified and the child will be denied library access. | |
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Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to: |
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Abusive language | ||
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Threats of violence | ||
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Unauthorized physically active games (tag, shouting, screaming) | ||
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Harassment of another patron or staff |
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Illegal behavior will result in the calling of police. Charges will be pressed against any individual who commits an illegal act, not limited to, but including the following: |
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Damaging or defacing library property | ||
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Theft of library property | ||
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Intoxication or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol on library property | ||
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Illegal Internet usage |
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Children must leave the library at closing time. The parent or caregiver should be aware of the library’s closing time. | |
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For the safety of the child, staff will not leave a child under thirteen years of age outside the library to wait for a ride. Should the child not be picked up within ten minutes of library closing, two staff members will wait with the child. Attempts to telephone the parent or responsible adult will be made. If the staff is unsuccessful in reaching a parent, or the parent does not arrive within thirty minutes of library closing, the POLICE will be summoned to assist the child. | |
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Library personnel is not permitted to offer a child a ride home. |
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Library privileges of families who do not
follow these
guidelines may be revoked. |
| Last Updated: 12-02 |