[OPLINLIST] Re: OPLINLIST digest, Unattended children in library

[Mary Worthington]

  Here is our policy regarding unattended children at our library:
Unattended Children
Children under the age of 9 may not be left unattended anywhere in the libr=
ary.  There is absolutely no safe alternative to close parental supervision=
.
There should be no unattended children in the Gift Shop or Caf=E9. Voluntee=
rs should call for the librarian-in-charge as needed to resolve any problem=
s with unattended children.
Here is what we do about: 
Children Left at Closing
If there are children under the age of 16, who are unaccompanied by a paren=
t or without a ride home, left at the library at closing time, the Libraria=
n-In-Charge is responsible for:
=B7	Calling the parent or guardian immediately
=B7	Calling the police in 15 minutes if a parent or guardian is unreachable=

=B7	Staying (accompanied by one other staff member) with the child/children=
 until they are picked up by a family member or the police department

Our staff have the option to call the police if the child is still here fif=
teen minutes after closing; however, I cannot recall any of them having to =
do so.  We do endeavor to speak to the parent who eventually shows up, and =
we can give the child our behavior policy to pass along to the parent.  To =
view this please go to:

http://www.westlakelibrary.org/codeofconduct.pdf






Mary K. Worthington
Assistant Director for Public Services
Westlake Porter Public Library
27333 Center Ridge Rd.
Westlake, OH 44145
440-250-5480
www.westlakelibrary.org



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: oplinlist-request@oplin.org
Reply-To: oplinlist@oplin.org
Date:  Mon, 27 Sep 2004 12:00:00 -0400

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