Unattended Children Policy

The Glenview Public Library is a valuable community resource of materials, information services, and programs. As a public institution, its doors are open to all regardless of origin, age, background, and views. Staff members are concerned when parents leave their young children alone or in the care of a slightly older sibling or friend. When young children are left unattended in the library, even for a few minutes, they can become frightened. A slightly older child left in charge can be easily burdened by this responsibility. Sometimes children stay at the library for many hours or wait here after school until a parent picks them up. Often they become bored and restless. This leads to disruptive behavior which interferes with the legitimate library business of other patrons and staff. Staff should not be placed in the position of supervising children who are too young to be unattended, or whose behavior indicates that they have stayed at the library for too long a time. For the safety and protection of youth, and for the benefit of all, the Glenview Public Library has developed the following rules:

1. ALL CHILDREN, AGED 7 AND UNDER, MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT OR RESPONSIBLE ADOLESCENT.
   The library assumes no responsibility for an unattended child. The person-in-charge must stay with the child, unless the child is participating in a storytime or other program. In that case, the person-in-charge must wait in the Children's Department.
   
   
2. SELF-SUPERVISED YOUTH, AGED 8 AND UP, ARE WELCOME TO USE THE LIBRARY AS LONG AS THEIR BEHAVIOR IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEHAVIOR POLICY.
   Parents should not view the library as an alternative to daycare. Unlike a daycare facility, the library is not a closed environment. Staff cannot monitor everyone who enters, and all patrons are free to use any public area within the library. For safety's sake, parents should make sure that their children are sufficiently mature before allowing them to visit the library by themselves. Parents should be advised that if their children misbehave, they may be told to leave the library and the library grounds. Parents should further realize that, even in their absence, they are legally responsible for their children's behavior.
   
   
3. CHILDREN MUST LEAVE THE LIBRARY AT CLOSING TIME. IF NECESSARY, PARENTS MUST ARRANGE TO PICK UP THEIR CHILDREN, AGED 13 AND UNDER, BY CLOSING TIME.
   Youngsters left to wait outside for a ride after the library has closed are placed in a vulnerable position. Staff are not responsible for the safety of a child once the library has closed. However, staff will attempt to contact parents. If they are unsuccessful, the police may be summoned to assist the youth.

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More detailed information on this Policy on Unattended Children as well as procedures for staff to follow when enforcing these rules is available for examination in both the Adult and Youth Services Departments.

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Revised by the Board of Trustees, December 15, 1992

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