The St. Tammany Parish Library welcomes the use of its facilities and services by children of all ages. Our services and programs are offered to make the library enticing to children, to encourage them to visit the library and to develop a love of books, reading and libraries.
The safety and welfare of young children left alone in the library is a serious concern of Library Board of Control and the administration. Young children, left unattended, often become frightened and anxious. Even older children, though they may be able to occupy their time for a short while, often become bored hungry, and disruptive, disturbing the enjoyment of the library by others.
It is not desirable to have unattended children in the library. The library is a public building and staff cannot know if the children are leaving the building with parents or strangers or even by themselves. Parents are responsible for their children's care and behavior at all times while in the library. The library staff cannot be responsible for children left alone without proper supervision.
For the protection and well being of children who enjoy our libraries and to prevent undue disruption of normal library activities, the St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control has adopted the following rules. Library supervisors and staff have been authorized to enforce these rules and procedures, effective March 10, 1997.
Rules
- Children age 9 and younger may not be left unattended in any branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library. They must be accompanied by a responsible person - an adult or mature adolescent (16 year of age or older). Responsible parties not attending children's program with children age 9 and younger must remain inside the library facility.
- The parents guardians and assigned chaperons are responsible for their children's behavior while in the library and while attending library programs.
- Children age 10 and older may use the library unattended, but must display acceptable library behavior, conduct, and demeanor.
- Staff members are not allowed to assume responsibility for any child in the absence of an adult or assigned chaperon, even for a very short time.
