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Unattended Children Policy

Villa Rica Public Library is intended to be a family friendly facility that places value on its young patrons and offers them the same pledge of a clean, quiet environment for browsing, reading, computer use and attending programs.

Because the library is a public facility and is frequented by patrons of all ages and backgrounds, it becomes the parents' responsibility to monitor the whereabouts of their child/children at all times. The library staff cannot be held responsible for the safety of a child who may be enticed/coerced to leave the premises with someone other than his parent(s).

• Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parents of a caregiver (16 years old or older) who is in the immediate vicinity of the children and in visual contact with the child at all times. This includes when a child is on the library floor or in the restroom.
• A child should not be left unattended for extended periods of time, including when parents/caregivers use the library computers.
• If a child in this age group is found unattended, the library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the library and inform him/her of the rules. If no one can be located, or if the child is found unattended again, the police will be called for assistance.
• The library cannot be regarded as a baby-sitting service.
• The safety of children left alone in the library building is a serious concern of the library staff. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the library rests with the parent/caregiver and not with the library personnel.
• Older children should know someone to contact in case of an emergency while he is at the library if the parents cannot be reached. This is of particular concern in cases of inclement weather or after dark.
• Teens are treated as adult users in the library. However, they are still the legal responsibility of their parents and should have an emergency contact available.
• Children's programming at the library requires a parent to stay with the child under the age of 10. While a parent may not physically stay in the room with the child attending the program, the parent must remain on the premises and immediately join the child at the end of the program.
• Children who do not have transportation home at closing time will be asked for telephone number of people who are authorized to pick them up at the library. If transportation is not available at closing, the Villa Rica Police Department will be called for assistance.
• Library staff will be required to notify the library manager to report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children and/or elderly adults on library property. This information will be given to the Villa Rica Police Department.
• The Villa Rica Police Department will be called to deal with parents who fail to abide by the library's policy.