Unattended Children Policy
The Ridgefield Public Library welcomes children of all ages to use and enjoy the facilities, collections and programs offered by the library. The library attempts to provide a safe environment for children to select books, films, music and other materials and to participate in the library programs, but does not provide child care services.
- Parents or caregivers (16 years or older) are responsible for the behavior of their children in the library. Children under the age of 8 must be continually attended by a parent or caregiver at all times while in the library.
- Children over 8 may be left unattended for a period of time (not to exceed 2 hours). On Saturdays, School Holidays, Summer Vacations, this time may be extended to 3 hours.
- When the library is open until 8:00 p.m., a parent or caregiver must accompany all children under the age of 12 after 5:00 p.m. Children under 12 in the library after 5:00 p.m. must contact a parent or guardian for immediate pick-up. After several attempts to contact a parent or guardian, The Ridgefield Police will be called to escort the child home or to the Ridgefield Police Department for pick-up.
- Children attending programs are supervised by library staff only during the scheduled time of the program.
- The library staff is not responsible for the supervision of children, but will intervene if aware of a problem. Children who are disruptive will be asked by library staff to behave. If the disruptive behavior continues, the parent or guardian will be called and asked to come to the library to pick up their child. When a parent or guardian is telephoned and unavailable, the Ridgefield Police Department will be contacted.
- The parent or guardian of a child who is habitually disruptive will be contacted by letter and informed of the situation. Such a child may be barred from the library for a period of time, to be determined by the library director, and reported to the Library Board of Trustees.
- At the recommendation of the Ridgefield Police Department, the library will call the Police to escort children who have been left in the building after closing hours. The parent or guardian will be called to pick up the child at the Ridgefield Police Department. A note will be left on the library door stating, “Unattended child is in the custody of the Ridgefield Police Department”. Names will not be noted on the sign.