Board Policy:
The Williams County Public Library welcomes and encourages children of all ages to visit and use the library. Special programs, story times and book groups are offered to help children develop a love of books and learning. Responsibility for the behavior and well-being of children using the library rests with the parent, guardian or caregiver assigned by the parent and not with the library staff. Library staff monitor the behavior of patrons as a whole, but can’t take responsibility for the care and behavior of each child. The staff does not take the place of a parent, act as caregiver or babysitter, nor assume responsibility for children in the library.
Administrative Procedure:
Children 10 years of age and under must be accompanied and adequately supervised by an adult, guardian or responsible caregiver during their entire stay in the library.
Parents/Caregivers must sign in at programs/story times and also sign out their child following the program/story time. If another person will be picking up the child the Library staff must be informed ahead of time.
Unattended Children: (Children 10 years of age and under) When an unattended child is at the library at closing time, Library staff will make every effort to contact parents/guardian/caregivers of the child. If no one can be found, Library staff will contact Williams County Job & Family Service. Library staff is not permitted to remain after hours with an unattended child or provide transportation to another location.
Approved April 2021