West Bend Community Memorial Library

Unattended Child Policy:

Providing a safe and welcoming setting is a primary ambition for the staff
and Library Board of the West Bend Community Memorial Library. The
expectation is that within the shared environment of the library all
patrons will observe the policies instituted by the Library's Board of
Trustees.

The West Bend Community Memorial Library wants its services and facilities
used by children. These children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian
or assigned caregiver while they are using the library.

The safety and well being of children left alone in the library is a
serious matter for library employees. However, library staff cannot be
accountable for children who are left unattended or who are displaying
inappropriate behavior. Responsibility for the safety and behavior of
children in the library rests with the parent or caregiver and not with
library employees.

The guidelines established by the Library Board Trustees follow:

· Children 7 and younger must have a parent or caregiver in the immediate
vicinity of and in eye contact with the child. The assigned caregiver must
be responsible and must have emergency contact information regarding the
child.

· If a child under age 7 is found to be unattended or is involved in
inappropriate or disruptive behavior, library employees will try to find
the parent or caregiver and explain the library's policy. If the parent or
caregiver can't be found, or if the child is found unattended or engaged in
disruptive behavior again, the police will be called.

· Children older than 7 are welcome to use the library appropriately on
their own. Their parents, however, are still responsible for the actions of
their children. Children of this age range who use inappropriate or
disruptive behavior may be asked to leave the library. If a child of this
age is not able to use the library appropriately or is not able to leave
the library without an adult, that child should not be left in the library
alone.

· All children should have the name and telephone number of someone who can
assist them in an emergency.

· Teenagers are considered as adult library patrons. Nonetheless, their
parents or guardians are still legally responsible for their behavior.
Therefore, they should have emergency contact information available.
 

Updated January 11, 2007