Unattended Children Policy
INTRODUCTION:
The Billerica Public Library welcomes children of all ages to use the library and its resources. Unfortunately, children left alone and unattended, can become bored and disruptive. Sometimes children are not picked up before the library closes for the day. Any public place may be dangerous for a child left unattended or stranded alone after closing hours.
The public library is not a Daycare Center. Children are welcome in the library. No child should be left alone unless able to be left unsupervised.
POLICY STATEMENT:
The Billerica Public Library has an obligation to provide for the general safety of all persons using the library.
While the library staff encourages children's use of the library, they are not responsible for the supervision of children left unattended by their parents/attending adult. It is the responsibility of parents/attending adult to insure the appropriate behavior of their children in the library.
Children must follow the same rules of conduct as stated for all patrons using the library. Managing unattended children will be handled accordingly, as cited in the PROCEDURES section of this Policy Statement.
PROCEDURES:
Unattended Child During Business Hours:
An unattended child found frightened or crying in the building should be reassured by the staff and brought to the children’s librarian or person in charge. Staff should try to identify and contact the parent/attending adult.
- If the parent/attending adult is in the building, accompany the child through the library to seek the adult. Upon locating the parent/attending adult, reunite the child with the adult, explain the library policy regarding unattended children, and give a copy of the policy statement to the parent/attending adult for their information.
- If the child is alone in the library, with the child's help, obtain the parent's attending adult's name and phone number. Call the parent/attending adult. Inform him/her of the library's policy, request the child be picked up, and, when child is picked up, give a copy of the policy statement to the parent/attending adult for their information.
If a child is alone at the library at closing and appears to be vulnerable, library staff will attempt to call a parent/attending adult. If staff cannot reach a parent/attending adult on the first attempt, they will, after a reasonable time, call the police to assume responsibility for the child. A staff member will remain with the child inside the library until a parent/attending adult or police arrive. The Library policy will be explained and a copy of the written policy will be given to the parent/attending adult. An ongoing problem with a family may require further action. Under no circumstances will library staff transport or take the child away from the library building.
