JB Andrews Library Policy: Child Supervision

Date: 1 Feb 2024

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for patrons visiting the JB Andrews Library. The following information outlines child supervision guidelines.

Children with physical, medical, developmental, educational, or any other special needs should not be left alone for any length of time to care for themselves. Whether the special need is mild, moderate, or severe, the following guidelines should be carefully applied.

While visiting the JB Andrews Library

• All children 5 years old and younger will have direct supervision. Direct supervision is defined as continuous visual contact with the child in the same physical space, with the ability to respond to and safeguard the well-being of the child under supervision at any time. The supervising individual may have a helper (i.e., a sibling, age 10 or older) as long as the parent or babysitter is available to assist in the event of an emergency.
• In general, children ages 6-9 require overview supervision (i.e., visual assessment at least once every hour). Children in this age range should have the capacity to know their address and phone number.
• Depending on the level of maturity, children 10-15 shall be provided general supervision, and parents will have knowledge of children's whereabouts at all times. The child must know what to do in case of an emergency. The child must also have a general idea of the parents' whereabouts.
• Children 16-18 shall check in with a designated adult periodically.

Age of Child Unattended in the JB Andrews Library

Age of Child	Unattended in the JB Andrews Library
Newborn < 6	No
6 to < 10	No
10 to < 12	Yes, up to 5 hours with physical access to baby-sitter/designated adult checking periodically
12 to < 16	Yes, up to 10 hours with designated adult checking periodically
16 to < 18	Yes, checking in with designated adult periodically