RAPIDES PARISH LIBRARY

UNATTENDED AND DISRUPTIVE CHILDREN POLICY

The Rapides Parish Library welcomes the use of its facilities and services by children. However, the safety and the welfare of children left alone in the Library is a serious concern of the Library Board of Control and the administration. Children’s disruptive behavior can have a negative impact on other Library customers.

Parents are responsible for their children’s care and behavior at all times while in the library. Library staff is not responsible for children left without proper supervision. The Library is a public building, and the staff cannot always know if children are leaving the facility with parents or strangers, or even by themselves.

For the protection and well-being of children who use the library and to prevent undue disruption, the following rules have been adopted by the Rapides Parish Library Board of Control:

1) Children age nine or younger may not be left unattended. They must be accompanied by a responsible person – an adult or mature adolescent (sixteen years of age or older).

2) Parents, guardians or assigned chaperons of children under age 7 must keep the child in view at all times.

3) The parents, guardians, or assigned chaperons are responsible for their children’s behavior while in the library.

4) Children age ten and older may use the Library unattended, but must display acceptable behavior.

5) Disruptive behavior, as interpreted by library staff, is not allowed.

6) Staff members are not allowed to assume responsibility for any child in the absence of a parent, guardian or assigned chaperon, even for a short period of time.

7) Continued and repeated violations of this policy will lead to progressively more severe penalties.

Adopted by the Rapides Parish Library

Board of Control

August 21, 2001

Revised October 19, 2010

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