SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN

This policy is written for the safety and well being of children, and in order to provide for the general welfare of all persons using the library.  Even if the parents are not present, the parents are responsible for and liable for their children's behavior in the library, for damage to materials, equipment, and furnishings, and for injury to themselves or others.

1. Appropriate behavior:
 Reading is encouraged.  Adults may read aloud to children.  Quiet play with toys, games, and art materials are allowed.  Children are allowed to study quietly in small groups.  Children must walk while in the library.

2. Disruptive behavior:
 If a child or youth is bothersome or unruly, the library staff will make every attempt to restore appropriate library behavior.  If this proves impossible, the disruptive individual's parents will be notified.

 Climbing on tables, shelves, chairs and other furniture is not allowed.
3.  Cleaning up:
 Out of consideration for others, children should be encouraged to put away puzzles, toys, games and art materials in their proper places.  Books should not be re-shelved but left stacked neatly on tables.

4.  Children ages 3 and under:
 A child must be within visual contact of a parent or adult caregiver at all times while using the library.
 Must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver through library programs.
 Must be accompanied  to the restroom by a parent or adult caregiver.

5.  Children ages 4 to 9:
 Must remain in the same area of the library as parent, adult caregiver, or older sibling.
 May attend library programs without an adult.
 Must have a parent or adult caregiver with them when using the computers.

6. Children ages 10 and over:
 May be left on their own to attend library programs or to do homework, providing they are not disruptive.  FOR NO LONGER THAN 2 HOURS.
 Even if the parents are not present, the parents are responsible for and liable for their children's behavior in the library, for damage to materials, equipment and furnishings, and for injury to themselves and others.

7.  Unattended children at closing time:
 Unattended children must be picked up at least 15 minutes before closing time.
 In the case of unattended children, 10 years of age and younger, at closing, the police will be called.
 Library staff members will not take any child home or anywhere away from the library site.