Child Safety Policy

Child Safety Policy

Policy

The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library strives to provide a positive, safe, non-disruptive environment for all its customers, especially families and children. It is recognized that unattended or disruptive children at the library can represent a serious concern. Responsibility for behavior and well-being of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian/caregiver, not with library staff. 

Regulations

• An unattended child is one without an apparent parent/guardian/caregiver to monitor the child. 
• Children under the age of 6 must be in the company of an adult and may not be left unattended in any part of the library. During story times or other programs, a parent/guardian/caregiver must remain in the immediate vicinity.

Procedure

• If children under the age of 6 are found without an adult, the staff will attempt to locate the parent/guardian/caregiver and reunite them with the children.
• If those persons cannot be located either within the library building or at home within one hour, or if the building is closing, staff will contact the local police department to pick up the children. (See also Opening and Closing Procedures, CUS-8)

Regulation

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 years must be attended by a responsible caregiver of at least 13 years of age.

Procedure

• If children between the ages of 6 and 12 years are found without a responsible caregiver, staff will attempt to locate the parent/guardian/caregiver and reunite them with the children.
• If those persons cannot be located either within the library building or at home within one hour, or if the building is closing, staff will contact the local police department to pick up the children. (See also Opening and Closing Procedures, CUS-8).

Regulation

Disruptive children or those not coping adequately with the library experience may intrude upon the business or activities of other library customers. Staff members are encouraged to bring such situations to the attention of a supervisor for resolution.

Procedure

• If, in the judgment of library supervisory staff, an unattended child is not coping adequately or is displaying disruptive behavior, staff will attempt to locate the parent/guardian/caregiver and reunite them with the child.
• If that person cannot be located either within the library building or at home within one hour, or if the building is closing, staff will contact the local police department to pick up the child. (See also Opening and Closing Procedures, CUS-8)

Regulation

Children under the age of 16 must have a definite arrangement for leaving the library at closing time. If a child is waiting for a verified ride, two staff members must remain with the child after the library has closed.   Due to liability concerns, staff members will not take children from the library premises. 

Procedure

• Police will be contacted immediately about any unattended child under the age of 13 (see regulations above) without a verified ride.
• Children between the ages of 13 and 16 who appear to be without an adult will be asked about departure arrangements approximately thirty minutes before closing. If arrangements are unclear, the child will be urged to call an adult for transportation.
• In the event of an unforeseen circumstance such as unanticipated closing due to power outage or bad weather, children will be encouraged to use the telephone to arrange transportation as soon as possible. 
• If the library is closing and a child does not have an apparent ride, staff will contact the local police department to pick up the child. (See also the “Emergency Preparedness Manual for the W-TCPL”)
• Two or more children over the age of 12 may be left together outside the building if they are waiting for the same ride, unless weather conditions are dangerous.

Board Approval 09/18/07