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Policy and Procedures for Unattended Children in the Library

Leichhardt Library Service welcomes children into the libraries to use its resources, attend organised programs, and to borrow items. Leichhardt Library Service aims at providing quality lending, outreach and reference services to all clients, particularly children of all ages. 

The libraries are a public places and staff cannot guarantee that unattended children may leave the library at any time, hurt themselves, or be approached by strangers. Staff members cannot supervise children whilst carrying out work duties. Parents/Guardians are expected to take responsibility for the behaviour and safety of the children they bring into the libraries. In situations where staff believe the safety of a young child is compromised, a child’s behaviour is of some concern or a young child needs supervision beyond the means of the staff, library staff are too report it to the Library Manager, Team Leader Information Services, Librarian in Charge or the Children’s Librarian, who are authorised to speak to the parents. 

Staff do have a duty of care towards children who visit the library and this policy is to ensure the safety of borrowers and staff, and the enjoyment of the library service.

 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN

Leichhardt Council and Leichhardt Library Service cannot take responsibility for children in the libraries. The libraries are not a licensed child-minding facility, and therefore cannot provide supervision of children.  Library staff do not take over parental responsibilities for children when they come into the library. Children under the age of 7 must be supervised by a reasonable person who is 18 years or older. Supervision requires that the person be within sight of the child at all times. Leichhardt Library Service cannot control what children borrow and it is the parents/guardians responsibility for the child’s use of resources.

 

UNATTENDED CHILDREN IN THE LIBRARY

Leichhardt Council and Leichhardt Library Service cannot take responsibility for children left unattended in the libraries. Children, when left unattended in a library could:

  • become LOST.html, distressed or sick
  • get bored and wander off disrupting other borrowers or causing damage to library property
  • leave the premise themselves
  • be at risk of approach from strangers

If a child is found unattended in a library, the staff should make every attempt to find the parent/guardian within the library. Staff should then explain to the parent/guardian that children must be kept within sight of them and that library staff are not responsible. If a child is left in a library for an extended period of time and the staff are concerned about their safety and behaviour, a letter should be sent to the parent/guardian explaining the library policy and also that library staff are not responsible for children left in a library. Under no circumstances are staff to allow any child to help them with library duties. This leaves the library service liable for any accidents which may occur. If a child approaches you with the good intention of helping you, please direct them to other activities in the library.

 

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR

Leichhardt Council and Leichhardt Library Service do not take any responsibility for the behaviour or actions of library borrowers while on Council or Library premises. The behaviour of children on Council or Library premises is the responsibility of the children themselves, their parents/guardians, any responsible person accompanying them, or if in a school group, their teachers, supervisors and the school, which they attend. If the child is behaving in a manner, which is disruptive to other library borrowers or damaging to library property, the librarian in charge has the right to ask the borrower to modify his/her behaviour. If after 2 warnings, the behaviour is not modified the librarian in charge has the right to ask the borrower to leave the library. If a borrower’s behaviour is identified as an ongoing problem, the matter should be referred to the Library Manager, Team Leader Information Services or the Children’s Librarian for further action.

 

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES and PROCEDURES

Children could be in a library, unattended for a variety of reasons. Before staff take action they need to consider these questions:

  •  Is there a pupil free day at their school?
  •  Is the child home-schooled?
  •  Is the child a truant?
  •  Is the child’s behaviour disruptive to other borrowers and/or of cause for concern?
  •  Is the child sick?

 Staff should take the following actions:-

 

There is a pupil free day at the child’s school.

Staff should evaluate the child’s behaviour, if the child is not disruptive then keep on eye on the child. If staff feel that there is a problem, or that the child’s safety is threatened, then contact the Librarian in charge, or alternatively the Team Leader Reader Services Librarian or Children’s Librarian,  so that they can contact the parent/guardian.

 

The child is home-schooled.

Check to see if they have a tutor or parent/guardian in the library, who may have momentarily gone to find information. If they cannot be located follow the procedures above.

 

The child is a truant.

The Librarian in charge should try and establish what school the child goes to, then they should phone the school and find out if there is a pupil free day. If there is not, then inform the Principal of the school that you suspect a child is truanting. It is up to the school to do something about it.

 

The child is causing disruptive behaviour in the library.

This is covered in the Library Act (1949), No 40. The Librarian in charge should warn the borrower and explain to them that their behaviour is unacceptable, if their behaviour is not modified after the second warning then the  Librarian in charge can ask the borrower to leave the premises. If a child has ongoing problems of behaviour within the library, report it to the Library Manager, Team Leader Information Services, or the Children’s Librarian for further action.

 

The child becomes sick.

The Librarian in charge should contact the First Aid Officer on duty in the library. Staff should not touch the child without the First Aid Officer present. If the child cannot be treated on the spot, then the Librarian in charge should try and contact the parent/guardian.

 

The child is left in library after closing time.

The Librarian in charge should make every attempt to contact the parent/guardian. If no one has arrived to collect the child within 10 minutes, then the police should be called. At no stage should there only be one staff member left with the child and at no stage should a staff member attempt to drive a child home. Two staff members must stay with the child until collected, or until police have arrived.