2.06.01 PREFACE
The Bloomfield Public Library encourages children to use its facilities and services. However, children in the library are the responsibility of their parent/caregiver. The library has neither the staff nor the legal authority to supervise children in the library.
Therefore, parents and caregivers should be aware of their responsibility to supervise their children while they are in the library. A child left unattended in the library may become disruptive, frightened, ill or injured. An unattended child could also be kidnapped.
2.06.02 POLICY STATEMENT
A. An unattended child is defined as a child without a responsible adult on library premises.
B. Disruptive behavior is any behavior within the library that infringes on the rights of others using the library.
C. If a child is found to be unattended in the library at ANY time or if an unattended child becomes disruptive , the library may take action necessary to resolve the situation. If necessary, the library may ask the police to take the child into custody
D. This policy applies to any child twelve (12) years of ages or younger. Older minors who become disruptive will be asked to move to the Main Library.
2.06.03 GUIDELINES FOR STAFF MEMBERS
A. Dealing with Disruptive Children
If a young child is being disruptive, library staff may remind the child of appropriate library behavior. The library staff may also ask the parent/caregiver to address inappropriate library behavior.
If an older child is disruptive, Library staff will ask the child to behave in a more appropriate manner. If disruptive behavior continues, library staff will:
1. Attempt to locate a parent/caregiver to address the behavior.
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If a parent/caregiver cannot be located within the library and the disruption is sufficiently severe, the police may be called to deal with the situation.
2. Ask the child to leave the library.
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Library staff members are to use their discretion in such situations.
B. Disruptive Attended Children
If an attended child is disruptive, library staff may address the child or parent/caregiver, concerning the behavior. If the behavior remains disruptive, they may be asked to leave the library until the situation resolves.
C. Unattended Children at Closing
Library staff will not remain after hours with an unattended child and are not permitted, under any circumstances, to give a rides home. If a child remains unattended within 15 minutes after closing, the police may be called to escort the child home or keep the child until parent/caregiver can be reached.
The library is not responsible for children outside the building.
PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS, NOT LIBRARY STAFF, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY AND BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN WITHIN IN THE LIBRARY.