Policy on Parental Responsibility

The library and its staff members cannot take the responsibility and do not have the authority to care for or supervise children in the library.  Therefore, the following policy is delineated. 

Children under 9 years of age in the library must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. 

Children 9 to 14 years of age may use the library independently, but the parent is still responsible for the child’s actions.  Should the child use the library inappropriately, the library staff may require the parent to be present with his/her child. 

Children 15-18 years of age are young adults who are considered independent users.  They are still legally the responsibility of their parents should they violate established library rules/policies. 

Notwithstanding the above, should a child be found alone or waiting for transportation at the time of library closing, efforts will be made to contact the parents or legal guardian.  Should appropriate arrangements not be possible, local police will be called in to handle the situation. 

Staff members will apply the reasonable care standard (the degree of care, which a person of ordinary prudence would exercise in the same or similar circumstances) in their dealings and interactions with children and young adults. 

Finally, parents will be held responsible for any pecuniary loss incurred by the library as a result of a child’s inappropriate actions.

2002