Guardian Guidelines

The safety of children in the library is a concern of the Library staff. Responsibility for the safety and well-being of a child rests with the guardian,* not with Library staff; however, staff can provide support and assistance.

To ensure the West Milford Township Library provides a safe and pleasant Library experience, the following policy is adopted:

  • Children must be 12 or older to use the Library without a guardian on premises and/or to assume responsibility of children.  
  • Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a guardian for the duration of their visit to the Library. 
  • Children age 7 and under must be closely supervised by the guardian at all times during their visit to the Library and cannot be supervised by an older child. 

Patrons who do not adhere to this policy:

Shall be informed of the policy and expected to comply.

May be asked by a staff member to leave the Library premises for the remainder of the day; with notification of this action sent to the Director.

May be subject to further suspension of Library privileges by the Director.

Children without a guardian on premises during Library hours: 

Children under the age of 12, who are unattended during regular business hours, will be assisted by at least one staff member. The staff member will attempt to contact the guardian. If the guardian cannot be reached within 10 minutes, the West Milford Police Department will be called to assume responsibility of the child. A staff member will remain with the child until Police personnel arrive.

Children without a guardian on premises at Library closing:

Children under the age of 12, who are unattended at the close of Library hours, shall be assisted by no fewer than two staff members. Library staff will attempt to contact the guardian. If the guardian cannot be reached within 10 minutes, the West Milford Township Police Department will be called to assume responsibility of the child. Staff members will remain with the child until Police personnel arrive.

The Library Director will be notified whenever these actions become necessary and will contact the child’s guardian to inform them of the Library policy.

The Library reserves the right in all situations of non-compliance to contact the West Milford Police Department to assume responsibility of unattended children.

*Definition of Guardian: any parent, guardian or person having the care and control of any child/children while on premises of the Library whether compensated or uncompensated.

Adopted May 12, 2009
West Milford Township Board of Trustees

Comments are closed.