Lilly Library Policy:
Child Safety
Adopted June 18, 2008
Parents are Responsible for Their Children at All Times
The Board of
Trustees and the staff of Lilly Library expect that the children who use the
facility will find it to be a warm, comforting and inviting place to discover a
love of books, reading, and learning.
Children are
always welcome in the Library. The physical makeup of our Victorian building,
with its oversized stairway, separate rooms and many corners makes it impossible
to see patrons at all times. Public libraries are public buildings;
people of all walks of life and backgrounds may frequent them. Children have
not had the life experience to always make appropriate choices for their safety
and well-being. Unfortunately, this is especially true of small children who
are left unattended. Therefore, the staff cannot be responsible for the safety
and well-being of our youngest patrons. When children are left unattended the
staff cannot know if these children are leaving the building with a parent or
with a stranger. Because of these things, the following policy has been adopted
by the Board of Trustees:
- Parents and caregivers are responsible for their child’s
safety and behavior when in the library and on library grounds.
- A child under the age of 9 must be accompanied at all
times by their parent / caregiver (age 15 years and up) and in all parts
of the library. This includes the children’s room. Staff are unable to
supervise children.
- When a child under age 9 attends library programs the
parent / caregiver must remain on library property (preferably inside the
building) while the child is in the program. We ask that the parent /
caregiver be in the children’s department five minutes prior to the designated
ending time for the program.
If a child is 9 or older, those responsible for picking-up the child must be
aware of library closing times; the child must know how to reach the
parent/caregiver for a ride or in case of an emergency. Children should
be advised to always wait inside the building for their designated ride to
arrive; advise children of the hazards of waiting in a busy parking lot.
- In the event a child has been left at the library
without a ride, attempts will be made to contact the child’s parent /
caregiver. If we are unable to reach this person, and /or an appropriate
pick-up arrangement is not made, then the police will be called to charge of
the child.
- If library staff determines that a child is not being
supervised properly and is concerned for the welfare of the child, the staff
will attempt to contact the parent for immediate pick-up; in certain
circumstances the police will be called to take charge of the child.
- Under no circumstances will a library staff member or a
library volunteer provide transport for children left at the library.
- Parents are responsible for payment for damages to
library property made by their child / children.
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