Child Safety

Statement of Philosophy Behind the Safe Child and Behavior Policy

 The Washington County Public Library strives to provide materials and programs to encourage children to visit, and to ensure that they will find the library a warm, inviting, and safe place.  It is in this environment that children will develop a lifelong love of books, reading, and libraries. 

 This safe child and behavior policy and accompanying procedures have been adopted to help parents and staff understand their roles in creating a safe and pleasant environment for all library patrons. 

 Library staff has many duties to perform in order to serve all citizens of the Washington County Public Library.  They cannot monitor the behavior or whereabouts of each patron—including children.  Staff does not takeover parental responsibilities for children who come into the library.

 A child could be tempted to go off with a stranger.  A child could become ill.  A child could get mixed in with a school group and become lost.  Any of these or other emergencies could take place in a public building.  An emergency situation could require evacuation of the building.  Small children unaccompanied by a familiar adult could panic, hide and be left in the building. 

 Policy

Children age 6 and under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other responsible person during their entire stay in the library. 

 Adult supervision is recommended for all elementary school children while in the library.

 Parents, guardians, or their designees are responsible for ensuring that

1.    children act in accordance with the library rules

2.    children’s behavior does not present a safety hazard to themselves, or other users, or library property.

3.   children’s behavior does not interfere with the use of the library by others. 

Children left unattended are vulnerable and may become frightened or anxious.  If left unsupervised for an extended period of time, they can become restless and bored, disturbing the enjoyment and study of others.

 Failure to comply with this policy may result in a child being denied access to the library and its services and programs for a specified period of time.

 Suggestions for Parents

 Bring children to the library at a less busy time and acquaint them with areas and materials that will interest them.

 Introduce children to library staff, and assure them that if they were ever to become lost or frightened, staff members are there to help.

 The library can be a very busy place, and is open to the public.  Make sure your children know if they should ever feel uneasy or uncomfortable with another person in the building, they should tell a staff member immediately.

 Parents should be familiar with the library’s hours of operation and should not leave children here before opening or after closing.  Please note that the library closes at 5:00 p.m.  on Friday and Saturday.  Library staff cannot be responsible for supervising children left alone in the parking lot.

 We have a telephone available to the public.  Please teach older, unattended children how to use it and how to reach you.

 Library staff members are not responsible for supervising what materials children choose to read while they are at the library.  It is not the role of the library to determine what is appropriate reading or research material for your child.  If you have concerns about the content of material, please visit the library together and assist your child in making selections.

 Supervision of a child’s use of Internet resources is the responsibility of that child’s parents.  We do require that children under the age of 14 years have a parent’s signature on the mandatory Internet Access agreement.

STAFF PROCEDURES

DISRUPTIVE CHILDREN

A.  Noise

1.   Children who become loud or noisy should be told in a firm but nice way that this behavior is not appropriate in a library and is disturbing others.

 2.   If they persist, consult with the Public Service Staff person in charge as to whether the children must leave the library temporarily.

B.   Children running and playing in the library create a hazard to themselves and others.  Stop them and tell them to walk.

 C.  If parents have accompanied children who become disruptive but fail to correct their behavior, first speak to the children.  If the problem behavior continues, tell the parents that their children are disturbing others.  Explain that if they do not control their children, they will have to leave the library.

UNATTENDED OR LOST CHILDREN

 A.  Children separated from or left unattended by their parents re frightened and often crying and should be comforted by the staff.

 B.   If it is determined that a child is lost or left unattended, the staff member should bring the child to the Children’s Librarian or the person in charge.

 C.  The Children’s Librarian or person in charge should try to identify or locate the parent or caregiver and, when located, explain firmly the library’s policy on unattended children.

 D.  If the parent or caregiver is not in the building, try to obtain the parent’s name and phone number from the child.

 E.   Call the parent or caregiver, inform him of the Library’s concern for the child’s safety and request that the parent or caregiver pick up the child within 30 minutes.

 F.   If the parent or caregiver cannot be reached within 30 minutes or does not respond within 30 minutes, call the police.

 G.  If the library is closing and the parents or responsible adults have not returned for their child, and cannot be contacted by telephone, two staff members will remain with the child for 30 minutes after closing time inside the Library until the parent or caregiver arrives.  Explain the Library’s policy and hours to the parent or caregiver when he arrives.  Give him the letter on unattended children.  (See Appendix.)

 H.  If the child is not picked up within 30 minutes after closing, call the police.  Staff  must wait with the child until the authorities arrive.

 I.    Under no circumstances should a staff member drive the child home.

 J.    Complete an Incident Report form and forward it to the Library Director.

 K.  For repeat occurrences, notify the Director, who will notify Social Services or other appropriate authorities.

 L.   The Director will adjust schedule or authorize overtime leave for staff members who remained with the child.