home >> kids' zone >>    Child Safety Policy

Please read the Patron Rules and Responsibilities.  These rules apply to patrons of all ages.

CHILD SAFETY POLICY

Approved by the Library Board April 7, 1992, Revised, December 5, 2006

The Highland Township Public Library strives to provide an environment that is inviting, pleasant and safe for patrons of all ages.

However, library staff members cannot provide supervision for children left alone in the library. Responsibility for children using the library rests with the parent or adult caregiver, not library personnel. Public places are not safe for unsupervised children and unattended children may be at risk.

Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver while in the library.

Parents or adult caregivers may leave young children with library staff for the duration of a children's services program. Library staff must be able to contact the adult in case of emergency.

Children age eight years or older may use the library unattended for reasonable periods of time provided they observe the rules of conduct. We recommend that young children not be left on their own for longer than two hours at a time. Children on their own should be able to contact a parent or other adult responsible for their care.

Library users of all ages are expected to comply with the Highland Township Public Library's Rules of Conduct which describe patron responsibilities and appropriate behavior.

Children may be asked to leave the library if their behavior does not conform to these library use regulations. Two warnings will be given, at which time the child will be advised of appropriate behavior and warned of the consequences of repeated inappropriate behavior. If there is a third offense, the child will be asked to leave the library for the rest of the day. If necessary, parents will be informed of the problem.

At closing our primary concern is that children not be left on their own, unattended. Parents must make arrangements in advance to ensure that children are picked up by closing time. If a child is not picked up by a parent or adult caretaker at library closing time, police may be notified to pick up the child.