Springfield
Town Library Policy on Children
The
Library welcomes and encourages all children to use and enjoy its facilities,
programs and services. Sharing this
environment with other people requires that everyone follow the posted Guidelines for Library Behavior. Library staff members do not serve in the
place of parents for children in the
Library, and parents should not view the Library as an alternative to
childcare.
All
children under 8 years of age must be accompanied and directly supervised by a
parent or responsible caregiver who assumes full accountability for the child’s
safety and behavior while in the Library.
“Directly supervised” means the child and caregiver must be able to
observe one another at all times, except when a child is participating in a
Library program. However, the caregiver
is expected to remain in the building and rejoin the child immediately
following the program.
If
a child under 8 years of age appears to be unattended or unsupervised, Library
staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver, advise them of this policy
and have them return to their child. If
a child is left unattended or unsupervised on multiple occasions, the Library will
contact the police or Vermont Department of Children & Families.
Children
8 years of age and older are welcome to use the Library unattended as long as
their behavior is in accordance with the posted Guidelines for Library Behavior. As with adults, children who fail to behave
appropriately may be asked to leave the Library. Parents, please remember that even in your
absence you are still responsible for the actions and safety of your minor
children. For the safety of any children left waiting at the Library after
closing time, police will be
notified.
The Children’s Room is reserved for use by
children, their parents or caregivers, and adults using the children’s
collection. Library staff may ask adults unaccompanied by a child to move to
other parts of the library once their selection has been made. The computers in
the Children’s Room are solely for use by children.
Rev.
& Adopted 9/6/2011, 8/8/2017