Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children while they are in the Library. The New Lenox Public Library staff is committed to help children with activities related to the Library. However, library staff cannot, nor is it their responsibility to, serve as baby-sitters, teachers, or disciplinarians. Violations of this policy are grounds for suspension of library privileges. Whenever advisable, the Library will notify the parent of incidents involving an unattended child.
Children 11 years of age and younger must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent or other responsible caregiver 16 years of age or older. When the safety of an unattended child is in doubt, or the parent or responsible caregiver cannot be located, or if the Library is closing, library staff is authorized to call the police and stay with the child until the police arrive. During library programs, parents and caregivers must remain in the Library.
Children 12 years of age and older may use the Library unattended by an adult, subject to other library rules and policies concerning behavior, conduct, and demeanor.
Unattended Children After Hours
In the event a child is still at the Library after the Library closes to the public, staff will wait 15 minutes and then the police will be called to pick up the child. Attempts will be made during that 15 minutes to reach parents, but in no instance will staff take children home. Two staff members will wait with the child until the child is picked up or the police arrive.
In the event of a local, state, or national emergency, the age at which a child can visit the Library unattended can be changed at the discretion of the Executive Director.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees January 10, 2005; Revised August 11, 2008; Updated June 14, 2010; Updated June 13, 2011; Updated August 10, 2020; Updated August 14, 2023