Child Behavior and Supervision Policy:
Parents should be aware that leaving a child under the age of 12 in a place of public accommodation may be considered a crime according to Connecticut Public Act No. 97-298
The Derby Public Library views service to children as an important part of our mission. We welcome children of all ages and conduct programs for ages birth through 11. It is our goal to provide an inviting, educational, safe and pleasant environment for our young patrons and their families. We encourage children to use the facility for reading. studying, research and attending programs. Our goal is to make the library a significant and beneficial part of their lives.
However, parents, guardians and caregivers should be mindful that the library is a public building open to all individuals, and that unattended children are vulnerable. Therefore, for the protection of all of our patrons and library property, the following constitutes the library policy concerning child behavior and supervision.
Although a public building, it is not the library's
function or purpose to be a care center for children. The library staff is
not responsible for providing supervision and care of children of any age,
whether in the library or on library premises. The staff does not monitor
children leaving the premises, nor is it their responsibility to know if a child
is leaving with a parent, guardian, relative or a stranger.
Children under the age of 12 must have a responsible
caregiver, age 18 or over, with them at all times. This includes time
spent at programs, unless otherwise noted.
Sharing a learning environment requires cooperation from
all patrons, regardless of age. Children who are not using the library
appropriately, who are engaged in disruptive, offensive or other inappropriate
behavior, or who are disrespectful to the library, the library staff, or other
patrons will be asked to leave the library . The judgment of the library
staff prevails when requesting such removal.
If children under the age of 12 are found unattended in
the library, the library staff will assist them in calling their
parents/caregivers to inform them of this policy so arrangements can be made for
pick up. If unattended children under the age of 12 are discovered in the
library at closing time, the library staff will again assist them in contacting
their parents/caregivers and wait with them for 10 minutes. If the
parent/caregiver has not arrived within that time period, the police will be
contacted.
No food or beverages are allowed.
Children and parents/caregivers should also be aware of
the
Children's Room Computer Usage Policy. Copies are available at the
children's circulation desk.
The library is not responsible for children who remain on library property after
closing.