Visits by Young Children to Library Policy Statement

Prepared by: Valerie Bell and Evan Bush, Date: 3/8/2018
Submitted to: ARLS Board of Trustees Policy Committee, Date: 3/9/2018
Approved by: ARLS Board of Trustees, Date: 10/18/2018

The children’s areas of our libraries serve children from birth to age 11. The library provides programming services and activities for the target age group. It is the desire of the Athens Regional Library System to make visits by young children both memorable and enjoyable in each of our libraries. Library staff cannot assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children. The primary concern is for the safety of children during their library visit.

All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied and actively supervised at all times by a responsible adult or qualified caregiver 16 years of age or older. Caregivers must be in the immediate vicinity of, and in visual contact with, their children. If a child is attending a library program, the caregiver must remain with the child throughout the program. All children are subject to building-wide patron responsibilities and conduct policies.

Staff will follow procedures as established in each library location concerning children left at the library at closing time.

All library employees and volunteers are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse [O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5].