Unattended Children

Unattended Children Policy 

Unattended Child Policy
The Henderson Memorial Public Library is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming, and exciting environment for people of all ages and wants children to use its facilities. Therefore, children in the library should always be accompanied by a parent/guardian or assigned caregiver as stipulated below.
 
 

Preschoolers
Parents/caregivers/guardians are required to remain in the library during preschool programs and join their child(ren) at its conclusion.
 
 

Children ages 8 through 12 may use the library on their own. However, parents are still responsible for the actions of their child(ren), as the library cannot guarantee safety for unattended children.
 
Young adults ages 13 through 17 are treated as adult users. However, they are still legally the responsibility of their parents and should have an emergency contact available.
 
 

Closing Time
If a child is left unattended in the Library at closing, the staff will attempt to locate his/her parents. The Library staff will contact law enforcement personnel if staff are unable to reach parents or other caregivers by telephone. Staff will fill out an incident report. Staff will not leave a child outside to wait for a ride nor drive children home.
 
Repeat offenders of the Library’s Unattended Children Policy, will be sent a letter informing them that future violations of the Library’s policy will necessitate contacting the Department of Human Services.
 

 
Revised: March 8, 2005, November 11, 2003
Adopted: June 25, 2001
Henderson Board of Trustees