Wadsworth Public Library
The care and behavior of minor children visiting the Wadsworth Public Library is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. The library does not act in loco parentis. While many people think of a public library as a safe environment, that is unfortunately not always the case. Library staff welcomes minor children to enjoy the library and library materials, but can not accept responsibility for their safety and supervision. To that end, the library has developed the following procedures to guide staff in dealing with unattended minors.
When a situation (e.g. personal injury, minor child left at closing, etc.) develops that warrants the attention of a minor's parent/guardian, but that individual is not present, the library will attempt to contact the parent/guardian. This will not necessarily be the case when a minor is asked to leave library property for violating the "Policy for Public Behavior on Library Property". If unable to reach the parent/guardian, the library will contact the Wadsworth Police Department to report the presence of an unattended minor in the library. The police department will be asked to pick up the minor for transport to the police department until the parent/guardian can be located.
Under no circumstances will library staff transport any minor in their personal car or library vehicle.
Library patrons who engage in unacceptable behavior, as defined in the "Policy for Public Behavior on Library Property," shall be subject to action as specified in the policy. Minors who are in chronic violation of the policy shall be required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian during library visits for a period to be determined by the Director.
Adopted November 17, 1997
