The Brookhaven Free Library welcomes children and youth of all ages to use its facilities and services. The safety and well being of patrons of all ages and the maintenance of an atmosphere conducive to the library use are major concerns. Though staff will always respond with care and concern, they cannot assume responsibility for the safety and comfort of minors when they are unattended. Children under the age of ten (10) must be attended and adequately supervised at all times. Older youth may use the library unattended provided they are able to maintain proper behavior. Responsibility for the welfare, supervision and the behavior of all minors using the library rests with the parent/guardian/caregiver.
Children who are over the age of 7 and are under the age of ten who are in the library for the purpose of attending a program for which they are registered may be left while the program is in progress, provided a staff member knows how to get in touch with the parent/guardian/ caregiver, and that the child is not left unattended after the conclusion of the program.
If in the judgment of the library staff an unsupervised child's conduct, capacity or age, or the conduct or age of those responsible for the child exposes the child or others to risk, disrupts the operation of the library, or requires staff intervention, the child may be asked to leave the library. If, due to age, capacity, weather, time of day or other circumstances, the child is judged by staff to be unable to leave the premises safely, library staff will attempt to contact the parent or legal guardian and request the child's removal from the library. If a parent or legal guardian in unavailable, then proper authorities will be notified.
Parents and caregivers must be aware of library hours, and make suitable arrangements to meet and or transport their children. If a child age 12 or younger is left unaccompanied at closing time, every effort will be made to assist the child in calling his/her parent/ guardian/ caregiver to arrange for transportation. Two staff members will remain with the child until the parent/guardian/ caregiver arrives to transport the child. If there is no contact within 15 minutes, the Library will call police for assistance.
Anytime a child is left unattended in the Library, in violation of the guidelines outlined in this policy, an incident report should be filed with copies to the Director.