Child Behavior and Supervision Policy

Service to children, parents, and adults working with children is an important part of the Library’s mission. The Library is free and open to unaccompanied children who are independent enough to use the resources for recreation, information, and education. The following policy is designed to communicate the Library’s concern for the safety and welfare of the children it serves.

Parents and guardians (“caregivers”) are referred to CT General Statutes Sec. 53-21a, regarding leaving children unsupervised in the Library; relevant text is included at the end of this document.

Parents should be aware that the Library is a public building open to all individuals. It is not the Library staff’s function or purpose to provide supervision for children nor to care for children while parents or caregivers are outside the Library. The Library staff is not authorized to act in place of parents. Staff members are responsible for assisting all Library patrons and cannot monitor unattended children. Staff will not monitor children leaving the Library. If a child is not able to leave the Library unaccompanied by an adult, he/she should not be in the Library without an adult.

Unattended Children

  1. At all times, caregivers are responsible for the conduct and safety of their children on Library premises. Caregivers must provide appropriate supervision based on the ages, the abilities, and the levels of responsibility of their children.
  2. Caregivers are expected to be aware of the open and closing times of the Library, bearing in mind that these can and do change. Sudden emergencies may occur in the Library and in such cases the Library assumes no responsibility for unattended children. Parents, guardians, or caregivers should be sure that their children know what to do or where to go when the Library closes.
  3. If a child (see CT General Statutes Sec. 53-21a*) is left at the Library after closing time, or as a result of an emergency closing, the police will be called. Under no circumstances will a staff member transport children to another location. All Library users must leave the building at closing time.
  4. All Library users, including children, are required to follow the Library Behavior Policy. Children who are in violation of the Library Behavior Policy, or who require excessive staff attention or supervision, will be asked to leave the Library, and, if necessary, the police will be contacted.
  5. Staff members reserve the right to contact the police, social services, or other appropriate agency when an unattended child’s health and safety (including emotional health) appears compromised or becomes an issue, or when there is disruptive behavior that is caused by or affects either the child in question or other Library patrons.

Sec. 53-21a. Leaving child unsupervised in place of public accommodation or motor vehicle.

(a)Any parent, guardian or person having custody or control, or providing supervision, of any child under the age of twelve years who knowingly leaves such child unsupervised in a place of public accommodation or a motor vehicle for a period of time that presents a substantial risk to the child’s health or safety, shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. (c) Any parent, guardian, or person having custody or control, or providing supervision, of any child under the age of twelve years who knowingly leaves such child unsupervised in a place of public accommodation or a motor vehicle between the hours of eight o’clock p.m. and six o’clock a.m. for a period of time that presents a substantial risk to the child’s health or safety, shall be guilty of a class C felony (P.A. 97-298).