Poestenkill Library Policies & Procedures

Unattended Children

A policy is necessary to address the issue of leaving children unattended in the library. The policy is also necessary to provide for the general safety of children in the library and to make parents aware that the library is a public building, open to all manner of people, and can therefore present risk to children.

Statement of this policy

  1. Children under 8 must be accompanied at the library by a parent/guardian/authorized caregiver.
  2. A parent may be asked to stay with their child, regardless of age, if the child’s behavior warrants it.

Responsibilities

  1. Minors are the responsibility of their parent or guardian, not of the library. The library takes no responsibility for the safety or welfare of children left unattended at the library.
  2. If a child under 8 is not accompanied by a parent or guardian at the library the librarian will call the parent or guardian to pick up the child.
  3. In the event of abuse of library privileges by a child, the library shall contact the parent/guardian.
  4. In case of emergency, should the library need to contact a parent/guardian of any child and they are not on site or cannot be reached the librarian will notify the police.

Approved by Poestenkill Library Board of Trustees on March 25, 2002.
Amended by the Poestenkill Library Board of Trustees on September 22, 2003.