Unattended Children in the Library

Hibbing Public Library cannot assume responsibility for children left unattended in the library. In order to prevent undue disruption of normal library activities, provide for the general welfare of all persons using the library, and for the safety of children using the library, the following policy has been adopted.

  1. Pre-school children shall be attended and adequately supervised by a parent or other responsible person.
  2. School-age children may use the library unattended, subject, of course, to appropriate behavior. However, the library is not a day care facility and cannot be responsible for children left unattended.
  3. Persons responsible for children who have special needs shall remain with their children at all times.
  4. If a child is left unattended in the library at closing time, two staff members shall remain on duty until the child is picked up.
  5. The staff members will:
    1. Ascertain the name of the child, and name(s) of the parents or guardians.
    2. Assist the child in calling his or her parents. If the parent answers the phone, the child or staff member should tell the parent that the library is closed and that the staff will wait fifteen minutes for the parent to pick them up. If it will take longer than fifteen minutes for the child to be picked up, then the parent is to be informed that the Hibbing Police Department will be called to come pick up the child.
    3. Call the Hibbing Police Department and explain to the officer on duty the situation, and ask that the child be picked up. If a police officer has not arrived within 10 minutes after the call was made, the staff member will call the Police Department again.
    4. Place on the front door a sign that indicates that the child was left unattended in the library and that he or she may be picked up at the police station.
    5. Complete a Library Incident Report and give it to the Library Director the next working day.
  6. The Library Director will send a letter to the parents or guardians informing them of the library's policy, and why the child was taken to the Police Department.