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The Library welcomes youth to use its facilities and services. Responsibility for the behavior and well-being of children using the library rests with the parent (or guardian or caregiver assigned by the parent) and not with the Library's personnel.

Library staff members cannot supervise children in the Library.

The safety of all children left alone in the Library is a serious concern. Young children left on their own often become frightened or anxious. No public place, including the Library, can guarantee the safety of children. Therefore, it is required that children under eight years of age be accompanied by a parent or other caregiver when visiting the Library. Due to differences in child development, some children between eight and ten years old may not be able to cope with being unattended. Therefore, it is recommended that children between 8 and 10 years of age be accompanied by a parent or other caregiver when visiting the library. The Library in no way assumes any responsibility for any child left unattended in the Library.

Unattended Children under Eight Years Old:
Children under the age of eight years may not be left unattended by an adult or caregiver in any part of the Library. If children under the age of eight are found without an adult or caregiver, staff will attempt to locate the parent or other caregiver. If the parent or caregiver cannot be located in the building or at home within 30 minutes, the police department (non-emergency number) will be contacted to pick up the child.

Unattended Children under Eight Years Old - Programs:
During story times or other programs, adults who do not attend the program with the child must remain in the building and must return to the story area by the end of the program.

Unattended Children under Eight Years Old - Closing Time:
If children under the age of eight are found without an adult at closing time, staff will attempt to locate the parent or caregiver. If the parent or caregiver cannot be located in the building or at home within 30 minutes, the police department (non-emergency number - 847-470-5208) will be contacted to pick up the child. Two Library staff members (not including custodial staff) will stay with the child after closing until the parent or the police arrive. The police should be notified that they no longer need to come if the parent arrives before the police arrive.

Youth [Eight and Older] in a Public Place:
Unattended children eight and over are free to use the Library's resources as long as needed, provided that their behavior is not disruptive to other patrons or staff members. During regular service hours, if Library staff judge that any youth is not coping adequately or is behaving in a disruptive manner, staff will attempt to locate a parent or care giver to pick up the child. If the parent or caregiver cannot be contacted within 30 minutes, the police department (non-emergency number - 847-470-5208) will be contacted for assistance.

Youth [Eight and Older] at Closing:
When visiting the Library without an adult, children eight and older should have definite arrangements to be picked up by closing time. If children are left unattended at closing, staff will first call the parents or caregiver and then the police for pickup after closing when the parents/caregivers cannot be located.

Contacting Law Enforcement: Youth [Eight and Older] at Closing:
The Library staff will contact the police department (non-emergency number - 847-470-5208 if staff are unable to reach parents or other caregivers by telephone.

The Library staff will contact the police department (non-emergency number - 847-470-5208) if staff are able to reach parents or other caregivers, but the parent or other caregiver are unable to pick up the child within 30 minutes after the Library closes.

The Library staff will contact the police department (non-emergency number - 847-470-5208) if the parent or other caregiver first states that he or she can pick up the child within 30 minutes after closing but does not arrive at the Library by that time.

Waiting for Pickup by Parents or Police:
Two Library staff members, not including custodial staff, will stay with the child after closing until the parent or the police arrive. This should be one Reference Librarian and a YS staff member; reassignment of this responsibility can be made in consultation with the Librarian-in-Charge, but there must always be two staff members, not including custodial staff, staying with the child. The police should be notified that they no longer need to come if the parent arrives before the police arrive. Under no circumstances is a staff member ever to drive any patron home, adult or child.

In any situation involving youth safety and specifically whenever parents (or other caregivers) or police are contacted, staff will complete an Occurrence Report.

Approved by the Morton Grove Public Library Board of Trustees, October 10, 2002; Updated January 24, 2005

www.webrary.org/Inside/polunattend.html
First published on the Web: 1/26/1998
Last updated: 2/22/2005