The South Hadley Public Library wants the facility to be a warm
and inviting place for children to develop a love of reading, books,
and libraries. The library offers many programs and services for children.
However, children left unattended may become disruptive. Young, unattended
children are not safe at the library. The staff cannot know if the
children are leaving the building with parents or with strangers.
This policy has been established in order to foster an environment
where the safety of children and their ability to use the library
will not be compromised. Children are expected to adhere to the same
rules as stated for all library patrons, with the following additions:
A. All children under the age of 10 should be accompanied by a parent
or other adult who is responsible for the child. Unattended children
are a safety concern for all library users.
B. At the discretion of a responsible adult, a child age 10 or older
may be left unattended for the period of time needed to select materials,
complete a homework assignment, or attend a program. The child must
know how to reach the responsible adult in case this need should arise.
Children should not be left for excessively long (more than two hours)
periods of time; the library does not provide day-care services.
C. Children and their adult caregivers should be aware of the closing
times of the library and the schedule of specific programs. Children
waiting for rides should remain near the entrance doors to avoid the
hazards of the parking lot. The library may call the police to escort
children who have been left in the building after closing hours.
D. The parent/guardian is responsible for ensuring appropriate behavior
of his/her children in the library. Disruptive behavior, including
shouting, running, pushing, or other rowdy, rambunctious activities,
will not be tolerated. Library staff will ask disruptive children
to leave the building in an orderly manner. In the case of unaccompanied
children under 10 years old, a parent/guardian will be called to pick
them up. If children do not leave the building after being asked,
the South Hadley Police may be called to remove them.
E. Parents with children in strollers are strongly encouraged to use
the handicap entrance near Technical Services for easy access to the
building.
F. The multi-purpose room is usually available for children to congregate.
Sitting on the stairs, gathering in the doorways, improper use of
the rest rooms, and related behavior is not allowed.
G. Children should not bring food or beverages into the building. The
exception is when food is served as part of a Children's Room
program or celebration. Small snacks may be finished in the multi-purpose
room, with trash disposal in the proper receptacles.
H. Bicycles, scooters, and other equipment should be left outside the
building. Bikes and scooters should be locked to the bicycle rack
with appropriate safety chains.
I. Computers in the Children's Room and throughout the library
building are not intended for use by children age five or under. It
is the responsibility of a parent or caregiver to ensure appropriate
use of the computers and other electronic library resources by young
children. Pounding on keyboards and other potentially damaging activities
are not permitted. Parents will be financially responsible for damage
caused by their children.
J. Library staff are not trained to treat injuries or administer first
aid. In the case of an injured unattended child, the library staff
will attempt to contact the parent or caregiver. In the case of a
medical emergency, 911 will be called to respond and the parents will
be notified, in that order.
K. Certain library services and materials (e.g., museum passes, historical
materials, etc.) may be restricted to adult patrons only. Children
needing these materials for school assignments may be granted permission
to use these services under the supervision of a responsible adult.
L. Children have almost unlimited access to the library's resources.
Parents and guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the
use of appropriate books, movies, and computer resources. Adults are
encouraged to actively participate in their children's use of
the library.
Suspected abuse or neglect of a child will be reported to the
South Hadley Police Department. According to Massachusetts law and
the Department of Social Services regulations, these terms are defined
as follows:
ABUSE
The nonaccidental commission of any act by a caretaker which
causes or creates a substantial risk of harm or threat of harm to
a child's well-being or the commission of a sex offense against
a child as defined by the criminal laws of the commonwealth.
NEGLECT
The failure of a caretaker, either deliberately or through
negligence, to take actions necessary to provide a child with minimally
adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision or other
essential care.