Hailey Public Library

Unattended Child Policy
The Hailey Public Library welcomes the use of its facilities by children of all ages. Our services and programs are offered to make the library enticing to children, to encourage them to visit the library and to develop a love of books, reading and libraries.

Busy public buildings are not secure places for children to be left alone. Responsibility for the welfare and the behavior of children using the library rests with the parent or guardian or an assigned chaperone. Library staff cannot assume responsibility for children's safety and comfort when they are unattended.

The Library Board of Trustees asserts that it is the parents. responsibility to provide childcare; the library must not be used for this purpose. If on repeated occasions library staff members have cause to notice unattended children with no observable intent to use library's resources, the children will be identified and a letter explaining the Library Board's position on this matter will be sent to their parents.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to inform parents and guardians that the Library does not assume responsibility for their children and to provide the guidelines used by staff in the event that a child is left unattended in the library.

Levels of supervision required:

. Children under the age of three must always be in close proximity and within sight of the adult responsible for their safety.

. Children under the age of ten must be supervised by a parent or responsible caregiver age fourteen or over, at all times while in the library. Parents or caregivers must remain in the library facility. A child may attend a program in the program room by him/herself however the caregiver must be ready to meet that child promptly when the program ends or have made arrangements clear with the child regarding leaving the Library on their own or with a designated caregiver. Staff does not monitor the arrival or departure of any child from a program or the building. The Library does not have a public phone or allow the use of cell phones inside the facility.

. Children ten and older may be left unattended, providing they are mature enough to follow library rules and observe proper conduct. Such children are subject to the same rules of behavior as other patrons and the same consequences, including being asked to leave the library. Staff does not monitor the arrival or departure of any child from a program or the building. The Library does not have a public phone or allow the use of cell phones inside the facility.

. Children between the ages of ten and thirteen years may be left unattended for a maximum of two hours.

. Children of any age with mental, physical or emotional disabilities which affect decision-making skills or render supervision necessary, must be accompanied by a parent of caregiver at all times.

Unattended children at closing:

. When library staff observes unattended juveniles on library premises at 15 minutes before closing, the staff member will ask the juvenile if prior arrangements have been made with a parent or caregiver.

. If the responsible caregiver has not arrived at closing, local law enforcement will be called.

. Staff will not transport children