Unattended Child Policy

APPLICABILITY:

This policy applies to all children using the library, their parents, legal guardians, and/or designated caregivers.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Unattended Child Policy is to ensure the safety of children using the library.

DEFINITIONS

Child: A human being under the age of 18

Neglected child: A child who does not receive proper care, supervision, or discipline from his or her parent/guardian.

Designated caregiver: Any person age 18 and older designated by the parent or legal guardian as responsible adult during the child’s entire visit to the library.

Supervision of children: Children age 10 and under are to be supervised and must remain in the physical presence of the parent, legal guardian, or caregiver.

Inappropriate: Actions not suitable or proper in the circumstances.

POLICY

1. Responsibility

  1. At all times the responsibility for the care, safety and behavior of children lies with the parent, legal guardian, or designated caregiver. This includes times when the parent, legal guardian, or designated caregiver is not present within the library building or on library grounds.
  2. Library staff and/or security will determine whether a child’s behavior is inappropriate and will respond to such situations in the manner deemed appropriate based on the Library’s Courteous Conduct Policy.
  3. Parents, legal guardians, and/or designated caregivers are responsible for any actions including, but not limited to, monetary responsibility for property damage or loss caused by their children.

2. Supervision

  1. Children aged 10 and under are to be supervised and must remain in the physical presence of the parent, legal guardian, or designated caregiver during the child’s entire visit to the library.

    2. 3. Behavior

    The Library’s Courteous Conduct Policy applies to all customers regardless of age.

    4. Unattended children

    1. If a parent, legal guardian, or designated caregiver cannot be located when needed staff will contact the appropriate authorities.
    2. If a child aged 15 or under is left unattended at closing, security and/or staff will notify Durham Police.

      3. 5. Reporting suspected abuse or neglect

      Library employees are required to report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities, including, but not limited to Durham County Department of Social Services at (919) 560-8424, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina at 1-800-CHILDREN, and/or local law enforcement.

      RESPONSIBILITY

      It is the responsibility of all library staff to fully understand this policy and to ensure fair and equitable application. It is the responsibility of the Deputy Director, with the advice of the Board of Trustees, to interpret, monitor and recommend updates to the policy. The Library Director is the final authority regarding enforcing this policy

      ENFORCEMENT

      Library employees are required by law to contact law enforcement based on this statute:

      REFERENCE:

      N.C.G.S. 7B-301: Duty to report abuse, neglect, dependency, or death due to maltreatment.

      Effective July 1, 2024