Policy – Child Safety

Lilly Library Policy: Child Safety 
Adopted June 18, 2008
Parents are Responsible for Their Children at All TimesThe Board of Trustees and the staff of Lilly Library expect that the children who use the facility will find it to be a warm, comforting and inviting place to discover a love of books, reading, and learning.Children are always welcome in the Library.  The physical makeup of our Victorian building, with its oversized stairway, separate rooms and many corners makes it impossible to see patrons at all times. Public libraries are publicbuildings; people of all walks of life and backgrounds may frequent them.  Children have not had the life experience to always make appropriate choices for their safety and well-being.   Unfortunately, this is especially true of small children who are left unattended.  Therefore, the staff cannot be responsible for the safety and well-being of our youngest patrons.  When children are left unattended the staff cannot know if these children are leaving the building with a parent or with a stranger.  Because of these things, the following policy has been adopted by the Board of Trustees:

  1. Parents and caregivers are responsible for their child’s safety and behavior when in the library and on library grounds.
  2. A child under the age of 9 must be accompanied at all times  by their parent / caregiver (age 15 years and up) and in all parts of the library.  This includes the children’s room.  Staff are unable to supervise children.
  3. When a child under age 9 attends library programs the parent / caregiver must remain on library property (preferably inside the building) while the child is in the program.  We ask that the parent / caregiver be in the children’s department five minutes prior to the designated ending time for the program.If a child is 9 or older, those responsible for picking-up the child must be aware of library closing times; the child must know how to reach the parent/caregiver for a ride or in case of an emergency.  Children should be advised to always wait inside the building for their designated ride to arrive; advise children of the hazards of waiting in a busy parking lot.
  1. In the event a child has been left at the library without a ride, attempts will be made to contact the child’s parent / caregiver.  If we are unable to reach this person, and /or an appropriate pick-up arrangement is not made, then the police will be called to charge of the child.
  2. If library staff determines that a child is not being supervised properly and is concerned for the welfare of the child, the staff will attempt to contact the parent for immediate pick-up; in certain circumstances the police will be called to take charge of the child.
  3. Under no circumstances will a library staff member or a library volunteer provide transport for children left at the library.
  4. Parents are responsible for payment for damages to library property made by their child / children.