Marathon County Public Library

ITEM NUMBER: 7.59 a-d

CHAPTER 8: Administrative

Management

CODE: Policy

COMPUTER ID: AMPRO-59



Title: Unattended Customer Policy

Effective Date: 11-24-86

Authorized By: Library Board of Trustees

Date of Last Revision: 10-2014





All customers using the Marathon County Public Library are responsible for their own

behavior in order that the general welfare and safety of all customers is provided for.



Children under 8 or persons unable to take care of themselves may not be left unattended

or without appropriate supervision at the Library. Neither the County nor the staff of the

Marathon County Public Library will have or will assume custodial responsibility for these

unattended persons. The County and Marathon County Public Library assumes no liability

for these persons.



If a child or person unable to take care of him or herself appears to be left unattended, the

staff will try to locate the parents or legal guardian. If the staff cannot locate the parents or

legal guardians, the police will be notified.













































ITEM NUMBER: 7.59 b







STATEMENT ON UNATTENDED CHILDREN



We welcome you and the child in your care to the Marathon County Public Library. For the

safety and well-being of the child, we ask that you remain within sight or sound of any child

under age 8. If the child is attending a supervised library program, we ask that you remain

available in case of any problems during the program. Groups using the meeting room are

expected to provide their own child care during meetings.



Parents are responsible for children's behavior whenever children are in the Library.

Library staff cannot assume responsibility for children's safety and behavior.



Plan to pick up older children at least 30 minutes before the Library closes. Authorities will

be contacted for any children left at the Library after closing time.

ITEM NUMBER: 7.59 c









PROCEDURE FOR STAFF IN DEALING WITH UNATTENDED CHILDREN AT THE

LIBRARY



If it is determined that a child is lost or left unattended, a staff member should bring the

child to the desk and notify the staff member in charge. Frightened and crying children will

be comforted by a staff member who should then try to identify and locate the parents.



1. Walk around the Library with the child looking for the parent. Use the

intercom where available to page the parent.



2. When the parent is located, explain the unattended children policy and give

them the parent hand-out.



3. If the parent is not found in the building, a staff member should stay with the

child until the parent can be located. Use the telephone book, city directory,

or the children's library card registration information if necessary.



4. If the parents cannot be located in 15 minutes, the staff member should call

the police and transfer the child to their care.



5. Under no circumstances should a staff member take the child out of the

building.









IF A CHILD HAS NOT BEEN PICKED UP AT CLOSING TIME:



1. Twenty minutes (20 minutes) before closing, try to identify any children who

may be waiting for rides. Remind them of the closing time and verify that

they have made arrangements to be picked up. Allow the telephone to be

used if children need to call parents.



2. If a child has not been picked up by closing time, the staff member in charge

of that area may wait in the front of the Library with the child for 15 minutes.



3. If the child has not been picked up after the 15 minutes, call the police to pick

up the child. You may leave a note on the library's front door telling the

parents where their child is.



ITEM NUMBER:





LETTER TO SEND WITH CHILD TO GIVE TO PARENTS















Dear





In the interest of safety, the Marathon County Public Library asks that children under 8

years old not be left unattended in the library.



Our staff is happy to serve children of all ages, but they cannot supervise small children

while carrying out their work responsibilities.



We urge parents to remember that the Library is a public building, and it is not in the child's

best interest to be left unattended. They could wander out of the building, be hurt by doors,

steps, or other people. Older children cannot be expected to deal with small children who

are anxious, tired, or ill.



If you have any questions, please call the Library Services Manager at 715-261-7242.





Thank you for your cooperation,







(You sign your name)