Camden County Library encourages children of all ages to use and enjoy its facilities and resources. Library staff is available to assist and support children with their use of library resources. However, the Library is not responsible for children who are left unattended on library premises. Unattended children are children of any age who are apparently unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, and/or responsible caregiver in the library. It is a violation of the Library's Code of Conduct to leave a child under the age of 13 without appropriate supervision.
The presence of unattended children in the library is a safety concern to all. Children are at great risk in this day and age, even in a library. All children ages 12 and younger must, at all times, be attended and adequately supervised by a parent, guardian or responsible adult (age 18 and older) who remains in the library building.
Children ages 13 and older may be left unattended at the discretion of their parent or responsible adult for the period of time necessary to complete homework assignments and projects, or for quiet reading and browsing. Such children are subject to the same rules of conduct as all other library patrons and with the same consequences for not observing them, including being asked to leave the library. This possibility should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to leave a child unattended in the library.
Children 13 and older should know how to reach an adult, and both child and adult should be aware of the closing time of the library. Library staff may call the police or other appropriate local agency if a child under the age of 12 is without appropriate supervision or if a child is left unattended when the library closes or if a child otherwise appears to be at risk.
Approved by the Board of Trustees
