Purpose

The Sherwood Public Library welcomes children of all ages to use its facilities and services.  In an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and maintain an atmosphere of constructive library use, the following policy regarding appropriate use of the library by children and their caregivers is adopted.

Policy

Responsibility for the welfare and the behavior of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or an assigned chaperone.  Though staff will always respond with care and concern, they cannot resume responsibility for children’s safety and comfort when they are unattended.  Staff may need to contact authorities (such as Police) either to assist with the enforcement of discipline in the library or the ensure the safety of an unattended child.

Young children should be attended and adequately supervised by a parent, guardian or caregiver.  Children under the age of 10 years shall not be left unattended by their responsible adult guardian (ORS 163.545).

163.545 Child neglect in the second degree. (1) A person having custody or control of a child under 10 years of age commits the crime of child neglect in the second degree if, with criminal negligence, the person leaves the child unattended in or at any place for such period of time as may be likely to endanger the health or welfare of such child.

(2) Child neglect in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor. [1971 c.743 s.174; 1991 c.832 s.2]

Older children may use the library unattended provided they are able to maintain proper library behavior.