Unattended Children Policy and Procedures

One of the primary missions of the Library is to provide a variety of services for children of all ages. The Library encourages visits by young children, and it is our desire to make these visits both memorable and enjoyable for the child.

 

The Library is, however, a public building, and as such, is not necessarily a safe place to leave a child unattended.

 

A child is considered unattended if they are in the Library without a parent or responsible caregiver over the age of 12. Said parent or caregiver must present with them in the same part of the Library if the child is going to be deemed attended. The Library will abide by the following policy and procedures for dealing with children left unattended in the library.

 

  1. Children under the age of 10 may not be left unattended for any length of time.  This includes children participating in library-sponsored programs; a parent or other responsible caregiver must remain in the Library during the program.
  2. Parents and other caregivers have a responsibility to know the hours of the Library and to pick up their child before the library closes.  The police may be called if a child of any age is not picked up at closing time.
  3. Under no circumstances will a staff member give a child a ride home.   Staff members may only take children outside for sanctioned library activities.
  4. The Library does not assume responsibility for a child left unattended in the Library.
  5. If a staff member finds an unattended child, under the age of 10, the following steps will be taken:
  • The staff member will determine if the parent is in the Library.  If so, the staff member and child will attempt to locate the parent.
  • If the parent is not in the Library, the staff member will attempt to contact the parent at home or work using information provided by the child, the patron database, or the telephone directory.  If contacted, the parent will be told that their child must be picked up immediately.
  • If the parent cannot be located, or if a contacted parent has not picked up their child within an hour of being called, the staff member will contact the police.
  1. Children 10 and older are considered to be “on their own” in the library.  All Library patrons, regardless of age, are subject to Library rules concerning disruptive behavior.

 

Approved by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees 8/27/20003
Revised by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees on 1/18/2023