The Sparta Public Library staff and board trustees welcome children of all ages to use the library’s materials and services. The responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children lies with the parents and/or caregiver.
An unattended child is defined as a child who is 9 years of age or younger and is left unsupervised at the library.
A child who is under the age of 6 should never be left alone in the library even for a short period of time.
Children between the ages of 6 and 9 need not be in the immediate presence of a parent or caregiver, but the parent or caregiver of the child must be somewhere in the building.
Procedures:
- Child under the age of 6: A small child who is left unattended will be taken to the library’s information desk while the child’s parent/caregiver is located. Once the responsible parent/caregiver is located, the library’s policy will be explained. If a responsible parent/caregiver is not located, then the staff will contact the police.
- Child age 6-9: Parents/caregiver will be notified by staff via phone that it is unacceptable to leave a child unattended in the library and the policy will be explained. If the child continues to be left at the library unattended, the staff member will notify the police.
- If a child 9 years old or younger is left unattended and the responsible parent/caregiver cannot be located within a 15 minute search by library staff, the police will be called. Under no circumstances, will staff transport children.
- After Hours: Unattended children should be asked 15 minutes before closing if they have a ride. If a parent/caregiver can not be located, then the police will be called. Two staff members will stay with the child until the parent/caregiver or the police arrive. For each incident that a child is left unattended and the police are notified, a registered letter will be sent home to parents stressing the library’s concern for the safety of the child and the importance of prearranging rides.
- An incident report will be completed and kept on file for each instance a child is left unattended.