UNATTENDED CHILD POLICY
The Library is a public building available for the use of all, including those whose interest in children may not be entirely wholesome. Even in a small library, staff may not recognize all of the adults who enter or leave the building with children.
Out of concern for the wellbeing of this community’s children, the Board of Library Trustees and the Library staff affirm that the staff does not take the place of parents, act as caregiver or babysitter, and cannot be responsible for problems (incidents, accidents, or other liability) resulting from children left unattended. Staff will intervene if they are aware of a problem.
Children aged 10 or younger must be continually attended by a parent or caregiver while in the building or on the grounds. Children aged eleven and older may be left unattended at the discretion of the parent or caregiver. Pickup times and Library hours must be discussed between parent and child before the responsible adult leaves the Library. The Library’s telephone is not normally to be used for contacting parents of unattended children.
There are additional considerations on this subject. Minors who meet the following conditions, regardless of chronological age, should not be unattended in the building or on the grounds:
Children attending Library programs (whether held at the Library, on its grounds, or elsewhere) are supervised by staff only for the duration of the program.
Children should not be left at the Library or on its grounds before opening or after closing, including emergency closings.
The Library staff is not responsible for supervising children left alone when the Library is closed but will attempt to reach a parent or caregiver for immediate pickup.
All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.
Should a child be at the Library at closing, and a parent or caregiver unavailable, at least two staff will immediately notify the local police, and will stay with the child until the police (or parent/caregiver) arrive. Staff will not offer transportation from the library to any other location.
In the event that the police are notified about an unattended child, the staff member(s) involved will notify the Director immediately.
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees, December 5, 2011; revised 7/24/2012
PLEASE NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, all materials owned by the Bolton Public Library and returned late enough to generate a bill for their replacement (i.e., 19 days past the due date) will be assessed the replacement cost plus a $3 nonrefundable billing fee. The Bolton Public Library does not charge daily overdue fines on its own materials. Materials owned by other libraries are subject to the owning library’s policies, which may include assessment of daily overdue fines. Returning other libraries’ materials to Bolton Public Library does not negate other libraries’ fines or fees. Returning other libraries’ materials to Bolton on days that we are closed but others are open (e.g., Mondays) or outside business hours may result in the owning library charging a late fine. The best way to avoid fines and fees is to renew, or to return materials on or before the due date.
Out of concern for the wellbeing of this community’s children, the Board of Library Trustees and the Library staff affirm that the staff does not take the place of parents, act as caregiver or babysitter, and cannot be responsible for problems (incidents, accidents, or other liability) resulting from children left unattended. Staff will intervene if they are aware of a problem.
Children aged 10 or younger must be continually attended by a parent or caregiver while in the building or on the grounds. Children aged eleven and older may be left unattended at the discretion of the parent or caregiver. Pickup times and Library hours must be discussed between parent and child before the responsible adult leaves the Library. The Library’s telephone is not normally to be used for contacting parents of unattended children.
There are additional considerations on this subject. Minors who meet the following conditions, regardless of chronological age, should not be unattended in the building or on the grounds:
- Those who are unable to care for themselves
- Those who need close supervision, even if a parent or caregiver is elsewhere in the building
- Those who are not picked up at closing time
Children attending Library programs (whether held at the Library, on its grounds, or elsewhere) are supervised by staff only for the duration of the program.
Children should not be left at the Library or on its grounds before opening or after closing, including emergency closings.
The Library staff is not responsible for supervising children left alone when the Library is closed but will attempt to reach a parent or caregiver for immediate pickup.
All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.
Should a child be at the Library at closing, and a parent or caregiver unavailable, at least two staff will immediately notify the local police, and will stay with the child until the police (or parent/caregiver) arrive. Staff will not offer transportation from the library to any other location.
In the event that the police are notified about an unattended child, the staff member(s) involved will notify the Director immediately.
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees, December 5, 2011; revised 7/24/2012
PLEASE NOTE: Effective January 1, 2007, all materials owned by the Bolton Public Library and returned late enough to generate a bill for their replacement (i.e., 19 days past the due date) will be assessed the replacement cost plus a $3 nonrefundable billing fee. The Bolton Public Library does not charge daily overdue fines on its own materials. Materials owned by other libraries are subject to the owning library’s policies, which may include assessment of daily overdue fines. Returning other libraries’ materials to Bolton Public Library does not negate other libraries’ fines or fees. Returning other libraries’ materials to Bolton on days that we are closed but others are open (e.g., Mondays) or outside business hours may result in the owning library charging a late fine. The best way to avoid fines and fees is to renew, or to return materials on or before the due date.
