For the safety and protection of young Library users, the Brazil Public Library has adopted the following policy concerning children left unattended in the Library. Children under the age ten (10) must be directly supervised by a parent, caregiver or guardian, over the age of eighteen (18) during their entire stay in the Library. The behavior and welfare of children in the Library are the responsibility of the parent or guardian accompanying them to the Library. Philosophy of the Safe Child Policy We are glad your children are here! We want the Brazil Public Library to be a safe, educational and welcoming place for all. Our Library is concerned about the safety and well-being of all its patrons and wants to encourage children to have a lifelong appreciation of books and resources that the Library has to offer.

The Library is a public building and open to anyone, law-abiding and otherwise. Due to the many responsibilities of the Library staff, the monitoring of each child’s behavior and location is not possible. Library staff cannot take over parental responsibilities for children when they come into the Library. Children left unattended are at risk and there are many factors that could place them in danger. A child could be tempted to go off with a stranger or become ill or other emergencies could take place in a public building. It is for the safety of each child that the Brazil Public Library has adopted a Safe Child Policy: 

Unattended children under the age of ten: 

1. Parents/caregivers may not leave child(ren) under the age of ten unattended in the Library at any time. 

2. The Library in no way assumes responsibility for any child left unattended in the building. 

3. Parents/caregivers are responsible for their child(ren)’s behavior while in the Library and for ensuring that their child(ren) obey Library rules. 

4. Parents/caregivers must remain in the Library during Library sponsored programs if their child(ren) are under the age ten (10). 

5. If a child under the age of ten (10) is found unattended when the Library is open, Library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver and inform him/her of the Safe Child Policy. If the parent/caregiver cannot be contacted, the child will be placed in the care of law enforcement. 

6. Under no circumstances will a staff member give any child or any person a ride home, take the child outside the building, or offer the child a seat in his/her vehicle. 

7. Parents who continue to disregard Library policy regarding this matter may be reported to the appropriate social services agency and/or may lose all Library privileges. 

Unattended children ages ten and over: 

1. Children ages ten and over are responsible for obeying Library rules. 

2. The Library in no way assumes responsibility for any child ten or older left unattended in the building 

3. Parents/caregivers of child(ren) must have a responsible plan for picking up their child(ren) by closing time of the Library. Children must be made aware of the specific arrangements that have been made.

4. The procedure for dealing with unattended children nine or under (outlined above), letter A, may also be applied to: a. a child that has not been picked up within 15 minutes of closing b. a child that has become ill or frightened c. a child that is vulnerable because of circumstances such as weather conditions, inadequate meal arrangements or long hours without contact with parent/caregiver d. a child that has become disruptive and has not responded to verbal warnings issued by Library staff. 5. Parents who continue to disregard Library policy regarding this matter may be reported to the appropriate social services agency and/or may lose all Library privileges. The Library staff respects the privacy of all Library patrons and will intervene only when, in the opinion of the Library staff, the safety and well-being of a child is threatened.