Policies

Child Safety

Library Staff Guidelines:

  • Library staff are not responsible for the care of unattended children and do not assume responsibility from parents or caregivers for providing for the welfare of persons in their care.

  • Library staff are not responsible for children interacting with or leaving the library with persons who are not appropriate caregivers.

  • Library staff are not responsible for any consequences of parents or caregivers forfeiting their responsibilities.

  • A staff member may intervene to prevent injury to the child or others or to prevent destruction or misuse of equipment and property.

  • Within 10 minutes of closing time, police will be called to escort unattended children from the library and an incident report will be filed with the Library Director.

  • If a child or juvenile is lost, unattended, scared or causes a disruption which interferes with patrons and staff, staff may elect to call the parent or caregiver. An incident report will be filed with the Library Director and the child or juvenile may be barred from future use of the library unless accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Staff will call the police if necessary. 


Parent/Caregiver & Child Responsibilities:

  • A parent or caregiver must be present with children under the age of ten at all times; including those who attend a program in the library. 

  • Children aged ten and over may be left unattended at the discretion of a responsible adult. If behavior problems occur, this privilege may be suspended. 

  • If the parent or caregiver does not want the child to leave the building without adult supervision, the child should not be in the library unattended.

  • Children will be expected to display appropriate behavior conducive to maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in the building for all patrons. Disruptive children will be asked to leave for the day after one warning. 

  • Children must know how to reach an adult in case of an emergency, and both the child and adult must be aware of library hours. 

  • Adults are not allowed to use computers designated for teens or children. Adults should not loiter in the teen or children’s sections unless they are with a child.


(Taos Public Library Policy Manual dated July 2024)