Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library
Unattended Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy
Approved on March 25, 2025

Unattended Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy
Purpose:
At the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library, children and vulnerable adults are always
welcome and encouraged to use and enjoy the library. However, the library is a public building
that is open to all and therefore cannot be considered a safe place for unattended children and
vulnerable adults.
In addition, the library also further believes it has a responsibility to provide a safe, welcoming
space to all patrons.
The purpose of this policy is to inform parents and caregivers that, though staff will always
respond with care and concern, the library staff is not responsible for providing supervision to
unattended children or vulnerable adults. The staff is also not responsible for the safety,
comfort, redirection, or behavior of unattended children or vulnerable adults.

Definition:
1. “Child’ means a minor under the age of 18.
2. “Vulnerable adult” means an adult who should not be left alone in the library, is unable
to reasonably care for themself in an emergency situation, or is mentally or physically
challenged and needs help beyond normal assistance with Library services.
3. A “Caregiver” is a parent or an individual who is responsible for monitoring and caring
for a child or vulnerable adult and who is at least 16 years old.
4. “Unattended” means that the parent or assigned caregiver is not with the child or
vulnerable adult in the library or within age-appropriate proximity of the child.

General Rules and Regulations:
1. All patrons, including children and vulnerable adults, are expected to comply with the
Library’s policies, including the Library Rules of Conduct.
2. Staff will not be responsible if unattended children of any age or vulnerable adult leave
the library premises alone or with another person.
3. It is the responsibility of the parent or caregiver to know what time the Library closes.
4. Further, staff will not be responsible for children ten (10) years or older who may be
asked to leave the Library if the child is in violation of Library policy.
5. The Library reserves the right to require direct adult supervision of any minor (under
age 18) who has violated the Rules of Conduct.
6. Under no circumstances will a library staff member transport a minor (or vulnerable
adult) to another location.

Rules and Regulations regarding Unattended Children:
1. Caregivers are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children regardless
of age while in the Library or on Library property.
2. Library Staff will not be expected to supervise or monitor children’s behavior.
3. Caregivers must be actively engaged in supervising children under the age of ten
including, but not limited to, staying in the same room/area of the library with children
under age 10, supervising and preventing disruptive behavior, assisting children with
computers, etc.
4. Children of any age who, because of developmental disability, mental illness, or
physical disability, require supervision must be attended by a parent or responsible
caregiver at all times.
5. A caregiver who leaves the child in one area of the library while visiting another is
considered to be in violation of this policy. This extends to all areas of the library and
includes the parking lot, meeting rooms, auditorium, restrooms, and the adult areas.
6. For children attending library programs NOT requiring a caregiver’s attendance, such as
Tween and Teen events, the caregiver must be available to contact directly, via phone
or in person. If a minor refuses to listen and/or follow directions of the supervising adult,
parents or caregiver may be contacted to return for the remainder of the event or to
remove the minor from the event.
7. Unattended children 10 years or older must know the phone number, other contact
information, or plans where and when to meet caregivers.
8. We request that all unattended children (10 and older) be picked up at least 10 minutes
prior to the library’s closing time.
9. For library patrons utilizing meeting rooms/auditorium space, children must remain
with their caregivers in the meeting room/auditorium unless the caregiver moves to
other areas within the library with the children.

Rules and Regulations regarding Vulnerable Adults
1. Vulnerable adults who are unable or unwilling to care for themselves or who do not
have the ability to use the library independently may not be left alone in the library at
any time.
2. Parents, guardians, and responsible caregivers are responsible for behavior and
supervision of the vulnerable adult in their care while in the Library or on Library
property.
3. Vulnerable adults who can follow the Rules of Conduct and care for themselves are
allowed to be unattended in the library. They should have contact information for
someone who can assist them in an emergency.
4. We request that all vulnerable adults be picked up at least 10 minutes prior to the
library’s closing time.

Procedures and Guidelines
• Contacting a parent or caregiver: A library or staff member will attempt to contact a
parent or caregiver if
o Contact information is available
o The health or safety of an unattended child or vulnerable adult is in doubt.
o A child or vulnerable adult is frightened while alone at the library.
o The behavior of the child or vulnerable adult has violated Library Policy.
o The behavior or conversation/questions of children or unattended adult
monopolizes the attention of the staff for an inappropriate amount of time or
interferes with the staff’s performance of duties.
o The unattended child or vulnerable adult has not been met by 10 minutes prior
to closing time.
• Contacting Public Safety: Library staff are authorized to call Saint Joseph Department
of Public Safety and 2 employees will stay with the child or vulnerable adult until police
arrive when:
o No contact information for caregivers is available
o The safety of a child is in doubt.
o The parent, guardian, or caregiver cannot be located.
o The Library is closing.

• Incident Report: Library staff will write an incident report for any occasion in which
there has been a violation of the unattended child or vulnerable adult policy.