Knowledge Base: Library Policies

SMOKY LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY

POLICY NUMBER:     203

SUBJECT:      Unattended Children and Rules of Behavior

Date Passed     _March 13, 2018__                Board Chair      ___Lisa Boykiw______

Amended   ___September 12, 2019                Board Chair      ___ Lisa Boykiw______

Reviewed ____February 21, 2023__              Board Chair      ___Lisa Boykiw_______

Background

The Smoky Lake Library Board hopes that patrons who use the library will find the facility to be a warm and inviting place to develop a love of books, reading and the library.  The primary role of library staff is to provide library service to patrons.  To this end, staff has limited ability to supervise unattended children.

Policy

1. The library is not responsible for children in the library.

2. Preschool children (aged 5 and under) must be under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or caregiver at all times.

3. Children of elementary school age may come into the library independently but should not be left unattended for substantial periods of time.

4. Older children (10 +) may use the library unaccompanied to attend programs or access services.

5. All children shall abide by library policies and rules of behavior.  Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Children are required to behave in a courteous manner.  Failure to listen to library staff may result in a suspension of library privileges.

6. If a child is left unattended when the library closes, and the staff cannot locate a parent or guardian, the library staff is directed to arrange for the RCMP to take responsibility of the child.  A staff member will wait with the child until a parent or guardian or police arrives.

POLICY NUMBER:     203               , page 2

Rules of Behavior

1. No food or drink at the computer stations.
2. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Disruptive children will be asked to leave.
3. Children are required to behave in a courteous manner.
4. Physical or verbal harassment of others, including Library staff, is prohibited.
5. Staff is not responsible for a patron’s personal belongings.
6. The material and equipment in the library are here for patron and staff use.  Any purposeful damage done to material, equipment, furniture, building, or property of the library is against the law and will be reported to the police.