SEEKONK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Unattended Children Policy and Procedures

Unattended Children Policy

Introduction

The Seekonk Public Library exists to meet the current informational, recreational, intellectual and cultural needs of the community by providing information, materials and service which are timely, accurate and useful while fostering the next generation of library users through educational support and programs which stimulate children’s interest in reading and learning.  Once the pleasurable association with the library is established, it is one that will stay for life.  The Staff and Trustees hope that children who use the Seekonk Public Library will perceive the library as a warm, welcoming and fun place to visit.  We hope that all families will take advantage of the tremendous resources the Seekonk Public Library has to offer.

The happiness and safety of young children left alone at the library can, however, be a serious concern.  The Staff seek to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.  Yet the library is a public building, and as such it could be a dangerous place for children alone.  Each year in the United States, over 50,000 children are abducted and never found.  Library staff cannot know if children are leaving the building with parents or with strangers.  Young children unattended at library closing time could be left alone just a few feet from a busy road.  For the protection and well being of children who enjoy the library, the following policy has been established.

Policy

The Seekonk Public Library welcomes children of all ages to use its facilities and services.  Responsibility for children using the library rests at all times with the parent(s) or assigned caregiver(s), not with Library personnel.  Parents must use their discretion in determining when their children are sufficiently mature and responsible to use the library unaccompanied by an adult.

 Problems Defined

Unattended Child is any young person unable to care for self - using the public library unaccompanied by a responsible adult.

Vulnerable Child is any unattended child whose safety or well being would be endangered if he/she would be sent out of the building.  Examples of endangerment include the child being too young to be on his/her own, the child being left alone in an unsafe area, being left alone in the dark, or being left alone outside the building after business hours.

Because children develop and mature at different rates, there is no magic age at which all children are ready to cope with the variety of circumstances they may face alone in the library.  Library staff must use their judgment and discretion in determining whether or not an unattended child is vulnerable or at-risk.

Unattended Children - Staff Procedures

1. Children left unattended are often frightened and crying and should be comforted by staff.

2. If it is determined that a child is lost or left unattended, a staff member should bring the child to the person on duty at the Children’s Services Desk.

3.  The Children’s Librarian should try to identify and locate the parents or responsible child care provider:

    a.  The staff will walk around the library with the child looking for the parent or caregiver.

    b.  The staff will page the child’s parent using parent’s name if known, or the child’s name if known.  If no name is available, describe the child’s physical appearance.

    c.  When the parent is located, the staff will explain the library policy on unattended children. Parents will be provided with a written copy of the policy if requested.

4. If the parent or caregiver is not found in the building, the Children’s Librarian should stay with the child until the parent can be located through searching the library’s records, phone book, city directory, etc.  When the parent or responsible childcare provider is located, they will be  informed of the library’s policy and asked to either join the child at the library or to pick the  child up immediately.  If they are unable to come immediately, they will be told their child may stay until they come this time, but they must adhere to the library’s policy in the future.  When the parent arrives, he or she will be provided with a written copy of the library’s policy.

5. If the parents have not been located within one hour, or if the library is closing, the Children’s Librarian shall call the police, who will assume responsibility for the child.  The Children’s Librarian will wait inside the library entrance with the child until the parent/caregiver or police arrive.  If the parent/caregiver arrives before the police, library policy will be explained and a written copy of the policy will be provided.  The Children’s Librarian should call the police to inform them that they need not come after all.  If the police do take responsibility for the children, give the officer who responds a written copy of the policy for the police to provide to the parents.

6. Under no circumstances will library staff transport or take the child away from the library building.

7. In the case of medical emergency, the rescue squad will be notified and then the staff will attempt to contact the parents, in that order.

8. In the event that the Children’s Services Department is unstaffed or is otherwise unable to administer this policy, the Information Services Department will do so.

Adopted: 10/94

Reprinted with permission of the Seekonk Public Library

To Unattended Children Index

To Mass. Regional Library Systems Policy Collection Index

Provided by the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems
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