McKinley Memorial Library

Child Safety Policy

The library welcomes children to use its facilities and services.  However, responsibility for the behavior and well-being or children using the library rests with the parent/guarding or assigned caregiver, not with the library's personnel.  Library staff members cannot supervise children in the library.

The happiness and safety of young children left alone in the library can be a serious concern.  Young children left on their own often become frightened or anxious.  They may be unable to occupy themselves for a short while, but being children, soon become bored or restless, disturbing the enjoyment and work of others.

Children under the age of six must be with an adult and supervised at all times in all parts of the building.   During StoryTimes, adults who do not attend the program with the child, must remain in the building and must return to the StoryTime area by the end of the program.

Children between the ages of six and twelve may read or work independently provided that the parent/guardian or assigned caregiver is in the building.  No children under the age of twelve are to be left unsupervised in the building.

If any children under the age of twelve are found in the building without an adult, the staff will attempt to locate the parent or adult caregiver.  If the parent or caregiver cannot be located either in the building or at home within one hour, or if the building is closing, the Children's Service Board or local police will be contacted to pick up the child.

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10/01/07