POLICY ON UNATTENDED CHILDREN

 

The Colleton County Memorial Library shall serve as a life-long learning center for its community by providing library services to all its residents.

 

The library facility and its grounds shall not be used for purposes other than those for which it is intended by law. It shall not be used for non-library sponsored activities other than those approved by the director. It is not the function of the library to serve as a child care facility, playground, or social meeting place.

 

The library welcomes children of all ages and strives to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere and programs which promote a love of books and reading. Although our staff members are trained to assist children with their library needs, they have many duties to perform and, therefore, are unable to assume parental responsibilities for children who are at the library unattended by an adult. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR ADULT AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE WHO ACKNOWLEDGES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHILD. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX MUST REMAIN WITHIN CONVERSATIONAL DISTANCE AND OTHE RESPONSIBLE ADULT AT ALL TIMES. Children attending library programs that are supervised by library staff are not considered unattended but should be picked up immediately after the program has ended.

 

If a child under the age of 10 is left at the library or on its grounds unattended by an adult, or if the library or its grounds are used for an unapproved activity, the staff reserves the right to seek the intervention of the appropriate social service or legal agency.

 

Approved: July 2002