Unattended Child Policy

Unattended Child Policy 

The Lincoln Library welcomes the use of its services and facilities by children and families. 

Staff members are committed to: 

• helping children find materials for school work and recreational reading. 
• empowering youth by providing a space to explore, learn, connect and be inspired. 
• planning programs that inform and enrich. 

Staff members are also committed to the well-being and safety of children. However, library facilities are not designed or licensed to provide child care. Any public place may be dangerous for a child who is left unattended for long hours or who is left stranded after closing hours. 

The library encourages parents to consider the safety and well-being of their children and the needs of other library users of all ages. 

Children under age 11 must be attended by a responsible party at all times, with a parent or guardian directly supervising and in the same area of the library as the child. If a responsible party cannot be contacted, police may be called. 

Disruptive children, attended or unattended, may be asked to leave the library after one warning. 

Parents or guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children in the library, whether or not they are present. 

Approved by Lincoln Library board 09/2018