Unattended and Endangered Child Policy

The Library is dedicated to providing a welcoming and safe environment for patrons of all ages. Sharing this environment with other people requires that everyone follow the Library Behavior Policy established by the Orange Public Libraries’ Board of Trustees.

The safety of children left alone in a library building is a serious concern of the library staff and trustees. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the library rests with the parent/caregiver and not with the Library’s personnel. Library staff will not act in the place of a parent. Staff members are available to assist children with library materials or services. However, the Library is not equipped—and it is not the Library’s role—to provide long or short term child care.

Parents/Guardians are responsible for the behavior and welfare of their children under the age of 18 in the library.

Children ages 0 - 12

While in the Library, parents and caregivers are responsible for monitoring and regulating the behavior of their children.

Children in the library should always be accompanied by a parent/guardian or an assigned caregiver. That assigned caregiver must be a responsible person and must have emergency contact information for the parents/guardians of the child in their care. Children under the age of 8 must have a parent/caregiver in the immediate vicinity of, and in visual contact with, the child. An exception would be children attending a library program without a parent/caregiver in the room. However, the parent/caregiver of a child under the age of 8 is expected to remain in the library building and immediately join the child at the end of the program.

If a child in this age group is found unattended as defined by this policy, library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the library and inform him/her of the rules. If the parent/caregiver cannot be found or if the child is left unattended again, the police may be called for assistance.

If a child in this age group violates the Library Behavior Policy, they and their parent/caregiver will be informed of the rules. If inappropriate behavior continues, the family may be asked to leave the library.

We strongly encourage parents/guardians of children between the ages of 8 and 12 to be in the building with their child or children. If a child in this age group is not able to leave the library without an adult, they should not be in the library alone. This is a particular concern in inclement weather and after dark. All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.

Teenagers

Teenagers, defined as children between the ages of 13 and 17, are treated as adult users. However, they are still legally the responsibility of their parents and should have an emergency contact available.

Library staff members will be guided by this policy in situations such as:

- An unattended child found frightened or crying in the Library.

- An unattended child is perceived to be endangering themselves, or that another person in the library poses a perceived threat to the unattended child.

- An unattended child exhibits inappropriate behavior.

- An unattended child has not been met by a responsible caregiver at closing time.

After evaluating the situation, Library staff members will attempt to contact the parent or guardian of an unattended child. Children who do not have transportation home at closing time will be asked for the telephone numbers of people who can pick them up at the library. If a child under the age of 8 is found unattended at any point, including during closing time, library staff will attempt to contact an adult or family member.

Staff are not permitted to remain after hours with an unattended child nor give the child a ride home. If a caregiver cannot be reached, the Orange Police will be called to escort the child home or stay with the child until a caregiver can be reached. The staff member will remain with the child until the police arrive. The Library Director will be informed whenever this action becomes necessary. The Director will contact the child’s parent or guardian to explain the library policy and why the action was required.

Approved by the Orange Public Libraries’ Board of Trustees on June 23, 2026.