The Mercer County Public Library (MCPL) welcomes and
encourages use of the library by children and their families. Staff will gladly
assist them in use of library materials and services. It is important for
parents to understand that the library only provides supervised child care for
scheduled library programs. The library does not and cannot act as a
baby-sitter, day care alternative, or protector of children. Responsibility for
children at all times rests with the parent / guardian or caregiver, and not
with Mercer County Public Library. Further, parents and guardians are legally
responsible for the conduct of their children on library premises, and must
provide reasonable supervision of their children as is appropriate to the age
and responsibility level of each child.
MCPL is concerned about children's safety. The library will
make reasonable effort to provide a safe environment for all patrons. All users
must recognize that the library is a public place and unfortunate incidents
could happen at the library, like any other public place. Again, it is important
that parents/guardians or care givers understand that they are the first line of
defense for their child's safety.
Children, like all other library users, are required to
follow library rules and regulations for appropriate use of materials,
equipment, and facilities. A complete explanation of personal conduct expected
in and around the library is explained in the library's "Behavior and Conduct
Policy", which is available for reading at the Circulation Desk.
The Mercer County Public Library will use the following
policy in dealing with disruptive children and unattended children.
For disruptive behavior:
If library staff notices inappropriate behavior from a
child attended by an adult, the adult will be notified of the child's behavior
and/or library staff will ask the child to stop such behavior, ask the child
to move, etc. If inappropriate behavior does not cease in a reasonable time,
the child and parent will be asked to leave the main section of the library.
For unattended children, parents will be called in order
that the behavior and library use can be discussed with the parent, child, and
library director. Depending on the situation, the parent may be asked to come
to the library to get the child.
Repeated incidents of disruptive behavior can result in a
30-day suspension from the library, with notification to the parent.
