General Parents and/or legal guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children while they are in the library. The Morris Area Public Library staff is committed to help children with activities related to the library; however, Library staff cannot, nor is it their responsibility, to serve as babysitters, teachers, or disciplinarians. Violations of this policy are grounds for suspension of library privileges. Whenever advisable, the Library will notify the parent or guardian of incidents involving an unattended child. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent or other responsible caregiver. When the safety of an unattended child is in doubt, or the parent or responsible caregiver cannot be located, or if the library is closing, library staff is authorized to call the police and stay with the child until the police arrive. From time to time, the Morris Area Public Library schedules or provides programs that are designed and suitable for attendance by children without direct parental supervision. Program announcements will indicate whether or not such supervision is required. When direct parental supervision is not required, the parent, guardian, or responsible caregiver must remain easily accessible in the Library. Parents, guardians, and responsible caregivers are responsible for monitoring children's use of library materials, as Library staff is not responsible for restricting children's access.
In the event a young person is still at the Library 10 minutes after the Library closes to the public, the police will be called to pick up the young person. Attempts will be made during that 10 minutes to reach parents, but in no instance will staff take young people home.
| Last updated May 23, 2011 |
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