When it comes to questions about which materials a child may access within the library, please be aware of the following facts, and refer to our child supervision requirements below, and in our Safe Child Policy:
- Children under 11 cannot check out any item without a parent or caregiver because they aren’t supposed to be in the library without them.
- Children under 6 should never be out of sight long enough to stumble into a section the parent or caregiver does not want them to visit.
- If you have allowed your child over the age of 11 to visit the library without you, it is our assumption that you trust your child to make informed decisions about the library materials they may view or borrow without your direct input.
- If you send your child to the library with a sibling or babysitter over the age of sixteen, it is our assumption (and the legal assumption) that you have entrusted your child to their care.
- It is not a public library’s role to act in place of a parent.
Levels of Supervision Required
From the library’s Safe Child Policy
|
Age of Child |
Support and Supervision |
|
Under 6 |
Must be directly supervised by a parent or responsible caregiver age 16 and over at all times while in the library. |
|
Ages 6 – 8 |
May enjoy the children’s room while parents or caregivers briefly visit other areas of the library, but the parent or caregiver must remain in the library. A child may attend a program in the program room by him/herself; however, the parent/caregiver must be ready to meet that child promptly when the program ends or have made arrangements clear with the child regarding leaving the library with a designated caregiver. Library staff cannot monitor children to ensure they leave with the proper caregiver. |
|
Ages 9 to 10 |
May enjoy any part of the library while parents or caregivers visit other areas of the library, but the parent or caregiver must remain in the building. |
|
Ages 11 – 12 |
Are welcome to use the library unattended for limited periods of time, up to sixty (60) minutes, provided they demonstrate purposeful intent to use library resources, and that their behavior is not disruptive to other patrons or library staff. Children are subject to the same rules of behavior as other patrons and the same consequences, including being asked to leave the building and/or premises. Continued inappropriate behavior will result in the requirement that they be attended by a parent or legal guardian. |
|
Ages 13 and up |
May be left unattended, providing they understand and follow library rules and observe proper conduct. Children are subject to the same rules of behavior as other patrons and the same consequences, including being asked to leave the building and/or premises. Continued inappropriate behavior will result in the requirement that they be attended by a parent or legal guardian. |