Child Safety Policy

1. Policy

The Fort Erie Public Library welcomes children of all ages to use its facilities and services. The Library is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for customers of all ages, but Library staff cannot assume responsibility for the safety and responsibility for unattended children. It is for the safety of our young patrons that the Library has adopted this Child Safety Policy.

1.01 Parents or guardians must ensure that children requiring supervision using the Library are accompanied by a responsible caregiver.

1.02 For children aged five (5) or younger, a parent or guardian must remain in their direct line of sight at all times.

1.03 Children requiring supervision should not be left unattended for Library programs. Parents may not be in the program, but are required to remain in the Library.

1.04 If a child is without parental supervision at the time the Library closes, every reasonable attempt will be made to reach a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian is unavailable, the Niagara Regional Police will be called. Wherever and whenever possible, two staff members will remain with the unattended child until the parent or authorities arrive.

1.05 Under no circumstances will Library staff provide transportation for children nor accommodate them away from the Library.

1.06 Staff will not give information to any person over the telephone as to whether a child is currently in the Library or has been in the Library recently. Staff may offer to take a message and ask the child to call the person back.

1.07 In the case of any medical emergency involving a child not accompanied by an adult, Library staff will call for emergency medical assistance before trying to reach the child’s parent or guardian.