Here is the library's policy regarding unattended children.

The Fountaindale Public Library District welcomes and encourages children of all ages to use its facilities, materials, programs and services. The District is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming, exciting, and safe environment for people of all ages. Sharing this environment with other people requires that everyone follow the Library Conduct Policy.

The library is an open, public building and the well-being and safety of young children left alone or unattended is a serious concern of library staff. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the library rests with the parent/caregiver and not with library staff. Library employees cannot be responsible for children who are unattended or demonstrating inappropriate behavior.

The following guidelines will be followed concerning the care and behavior of young library users.

Parents are responsible for their children whether or not the parent is present.

Children seven years of age and younger must be accompanied by and in visual contact with a parent or responsible caregiver (14 or older) at all times, in all areas of the library.

During storytimes or programs, the adult or responsible person must remain in the library and must return to the story or program area by the end of the event.

If a child seven years of age or under is found unattended, a member of the Library staff will attempt to locate the adult or responsible person. If they cannot be located in the building or at home within 30 minutes, the local police department will be contacted to pick up the child.

Children whose behavior is disruptive, whether attended or unattended, will be asked by library staff members to follow the library’s Conduct Policy. If the disruptive behavior continues, they may be asked to leave the building.

If a child is not able to leave the library without an adult, he/she should not be in the library without an adult. All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.

The District is not responsible for the care and supervision of unaccompanied children prior to opening or after closing. School-age children who depend on adults for transportation to return home must be picked up before the library closes. If a child under the age of 14 is found unattended at closing, the staff will attempt to contact the child’s parent. If no contact can be made with the child’s parent, one security monitor and one library staff member (one male and one female) will wait until 15 minutes after closing. If the child is still without a ride, the library staff will notify the police that there is a child without a ride and request that the police come to the library to pick up the child. Under no circumstances may a staff member accompany a child home.

APPROVED MAY 16, 2013