Child Safety Policy*

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The Library is a Public Space

Kalamazoo Public Library welcomes and encourages children and their parents, guardians, and caregivers to visit our library and enjoy the facilities, services, and events of the Kalamazoo Public Library.

Library staff is here to serve you. However, staff cannot assume the responsibility of a child’s care and supervision. The behavior, safety, and welfare of children are the responsibility of the parents, guardians, or caregivers accompanying the child/children to the Library or Library-sponsored events.

When considering the safety and welfare of their children, parents, guardians, and caregivers should be mindful that the downtown Central location is a multi-level facility, while the public areas at the neighborhood branches are on the main level.

All patrons, including children, are expected to comply with the Library’s Rules of Conduct.

Age Requirements

• Parents, guardians, or caregivers must be aged fourteen (14) and older and must be able to manage the child’s behavior, safety, and
• Children aged eight (8) and younger must always have a parent, guardian, or caregiver in the immediate vicinity and in visual contact with the child.
  • Exceptions to this are for children ages six to eight (6-8) attending a Library-sponsored program on the premises—the parent, guardian, or caregiver is to remain in the Library building and promptly rejoin the child(ren) at the end of the program.
• Children aged nine (9) and older who can understand and follow the Rules of Conduct, and who can care for themselves may use the Library unattended, subject to the Rules of Conduct and policies of the Library.
• Children of any age who, because of a disability, require supervision or personal care shall be attended to by a parent, guardian, or caregiver at all times.
• Staff will not be responsible if unattended children of any age leave the Library premises alone, or with other persons.

Violation of Rules of Conduct

• Children and their parents, guardians, or caregivers who do not abide by the Rules of Conduct may be asked to leave the Library.
  • For children ages nine to eleven (9-11) who are unaccompanied and in violation of Rules of Conduct, the Library will undertake the following measures prior to asking a child to leave:
    • Attempt to manage the behavior using trauma-informed approaches.
    • Attempt to contact the child’s parent, guardian, or caregiver.
    • Contact Kalamazoo Department of Safety if the safety of the child is in doubt.
  • Further, staff will not be responsible for children nine (9) years or older who may be asked to leave the Library if the child is in violation of Library policy.
• The Library reserves the right to require direct adult supervision of any minor (under age 18) who has violated the Rules of Conduct.

Emergencies

Library staff are authorized to call Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and stay with the child until police arrive when:

• The safety of a child is in doubt.
• The parent, guardian, or caregiver cannot be located.
• The Library is closing.