Child Safety: Unattended Children
Although the library welcomes children to use its facilities and services,
responsibility for their behavior and well being while in the library
rests with the parent (or guardian or caregiver assigned by the parent)
and not with library personnel. As used hereafter the term "caregiver"
includes parent, guardian or other adult caregiver.
The safety of all children left alone in the library is a serious concern.
No public place, including the library, can guarantee the safety of children.
Therefore, it is recommended that a caregiver accompany children when
visiting the library. Because of differences in child development, some
children may not be able to cope with being unattended. Young children
left on their own often become frightened or anxious.
Preschoolers - Unattended
Children under the age of six years may not be left unattended by a caregiver
in any part of the library. If children under the age of six are found
unattended by a caregiver, staff will attempt to locate the caregiver.
If the caregiver cannot be located in the building or at home within 15
minutes, police will be notified.
Preschoolers - Programs
During story times or other programs conducted by library staff, caregivers
who do not attend the program with the child must remain in the building
and must return to the program area by the end of the program.
Preschoolers - Closing Time
If children under the age of six are found without a caregiver at closing
time, staff will attempt to locate the caregiver. If the caregiver cannot
be located in the building or at home, police will be notified. Two library
staff members will stay with the child after closing until the police
arrive.
Unattended Children During Regular Hours
During regular service hours, if library staff determine that any unattended
child is not coping adequately or is otherwise behaving in a manner which
causes concern, staff will attempt to locate a caregiver to pick up the
child. If the caregiver cannot be contacted within 15 minutes, police
will be notified.
Unattended Children at Closing
When visiting the library without an adult caregiver, children should
have definite arrangements to be picked up by closing time. Library hours
are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9 AM - 9 PM and Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM. If a child is found to be unattended at closing,
and library staff are unable to reach a caregiver by telephone, police
will be notified.
The library staff will also notify police if staff are able to reach
a caregiver, but the caregiver is unable to pick up the child within 15
minutes after the library closes, or if the caregiver states that he or
she can pick up the child within 15 minutes after closing but does not
arrive at the library by that time.
Notification for Caregivers
When law enforcement personnel have been called and taken charge of the
child, staff will leave a note on the door notifying the caregiver that
law enforcement personnel have picked up the child from the library. Preferably
the director or librarian in charge and the maintenance worker on duty
will stay with the child after closing until a caregiver or police arrive,
but in all cases at least two members of the library staff will stay with
the child.
Staff will not drive children home.
In any situation involving child safety and specifically whenever adult
caregivers or law enforcement personnel are contacted, staff will complete
an Incident Report. In cases of repetitive incidences of unattended or
unattended at closing time children, the library will notify the Department
of Public Safety Juvenile Aid Bureau.
The Unattended Children Policy is posted in the library lobby.
Approved by the Board of Trustees of the
Nutley Free Public Library
March 25, 2003
Child
Safety: Disruptive Children
Although the library welcomes children to use its facilities and services,
responsibility for their behavior and well being while in the library
rests with the parent (or guardian or caregiver assigned by the parent)
and not with library personnel.
All patrons of whatever age are expected to observe the Rules of Conduct.
Those who cannot observe the rules disrupt the use of the library facility
and its services for other patrons and may endanger their well-being.
Disruptive behavior requires intervention.
Disruptive people, including children, will not be permitted to remain
in the library.
Children – Attended by parent or guardian
Library staff will advise the parent or guardian that the child’s
behavior is disturbing others, causing a safety problem or is otherwise
unacceptable based upon the Rules of Conduct. If the parent or guardian
refuses or is unable to control the child, he or she will be advised after
reasonable notice that the child must be taken out of the library.
If the parent or caregiver does not remove the child, he or she will
be advised that the alternative will be police notification. If the child
is still not removed, the director or librarian in charge will be advised
of the situation and will telephone the police for assistance.
Children: pre-school through age 12 –Unattended by parent or guardian
Library staff observing unattended disruptive children will follow the
Child Safety: Unattended Children policy.
Children: ages 12 through 17 – Unattended by parent or guardian
Library staff observing unattended disruptive behavior will advise the
adolescent that his or her behavior is inappropriate and will describe
appropriate behavior for use of the library according the the Rules of
Conduct.
If the adolescent refuses or does not control his or her behavior, the
staff member will give a second warning advising that the disruptive behavior
must stop or the adolescent will have to leave the building.
If the library staff member observes the disruptive behavior continuing
after two warnings, the staff member will tell the adolescent to leave
the building. If there is a refusal to do so, he or she will be advised
that the alternative will be police notification. If the adolescent still
will notleave, the youngster will be advised that law enforcement personnel
will be called, the director or librarian in charge will be notified and
will telephone the police for assistance.
In any situation involving children’s behavior where
parents, other caregivers or law enforcement personnel are contacted,
staff members will complete an Incident Report. In cases of repetitive
incidences of problems with a child or repetitive inability of parents
or caregivers to adequately supervise the child in the library, depending
on the seriousness of the situation, the library reserves the right to
notify the Public Safety Department Juvenile Aid Bureau.
Approved by the Board of Trustees of the
Nutley Free Public Library
February 25, 2003
