SAFE CHILD POLICY

Your child's safety is important to us and for that reason the Bon Accord Public Library has implemented the following safe child policy effective February 22, 2010.  You can download a copy of the policy here.

Category: Community Relations

Policy Number: 302
Title: Safe Child Policy

The Bon Accord Public Library cares about the safety of our young patrons and strives to make a safe environment for all. It is important to note that parents, guardians and caregivers must do their part to ensure that this is so.  

Children under the age of 8 years must be accompanied by someone 12 years of age or older. The library staff cannot assume responsibility for the safety of an unattended child. Children attending programs are supervised by the library staff only during the scheduled time of the program.  

Should the situation arise that a child under the age of 8 is unattended in the library the following steps will be taken.

• Attempts to contact or locate a parent or legal guardian will be made.
• If no parent/guardian can be located or if the library is closing, a staff member will call the RCMP
• Under no circumstances will a staff member take a child out of the building or transport to another location.

Children between the ages 8 to 18 may use the library unattended as long as their conduct is acceptable in a library setting. These unattended children may research an assignment, complete a homework task, attend a library program, use a computer, select books and read in the library. Parents/guardians are expected to be aware that their child is at the library. Children must know how to reach an adult in case of an emergency and both child and adult should be aware of library hours. Anyone displaying unacceptable behaviour will be asked to leave the premises.  

Parents, guardians and caregivers, not the library staff, are ultimately responsible for the actions and safety of children visiting the library.