OHOOPEE REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM

Policy regarding minors

Approved by Regional Board of Trustees, 09/27/2000

The Board of Trustees of the Ohoopee Regional Library System in order to assist library personnel to complete their duties, provide an atmosphere conducive to study and the appropriate use of the library’s services and facilities, and provide for the safety, comfort and welfare of patrons of all ages has adopted the following policy:

(1) The library is not responsible for the care of unattended minors. The library is not intended to be a daycare, after school care facility, summer camp or babysitting service.

(2) Children under the age of 8 (eight) may not be left unattended in the library.

Care providers for children under the age of 8 (eight) must be at least 16 (sixteen) years of age. Care providers must supervise and provide guidance and control for their charges at all times.

(3) Children under the age of 6 (six), using the children’s computers, must have the care provider present at the computer terminal at all times.

(4) Children between the ages of 8 and 15 should not be left unattended in the library for extended periods of time.

Attendance at library programs, browsing for recreational reading, and after school use of the library for homework and study are encouraged and considered appropriate. Librarians will provide minimal supervision, reference and research assistance. However after extended periods of time, or, in case of a problem, the Branch Manager after consultation with the Director, Extension Services Librarian and/or the Librarian-on-Duty may determine what is a reasonable length of time for the minors to be left unattended. Parents will be notified and asked to pick up and/or provide supervision for their child. In general, the library considers more than 2-3 hours (depending on the age and conduct of the child) to be excessive and inappropriate.

(5) Those unattended minors who do not abide by library rules and policies, or who exhibit unacceptable behavior, will be asked to leave, and/or call their parents for a ride. If they are unable to reach their parents, or if a ride does not come, they may be considered abandoned and the authorities called.

(6) The library is not responsible for minors without a ride home at closing. Minors without a ride home at closing may be considered abandoned and the authorities called.

(7) The library is not responsible for a minor’s selection of library materials. The library believes it is the right and responsibility of a parent or guardian to determine what is appropriate material in order to meet personal family standards and guidelines. Therefore, parents are encouraged to accompany their children and to select material with their children or review their children’s selections.

(8) All children under age 18 must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian, signed on the library permission form in the presence of a library employee, to access the Internet. Children under 17 must have a parent or legal guardian present at the computer terminal at all times. Children between the ages of 17 and 18, with written parental permission as above, may access the Internet without parental supervision. The library is not responsible for the content or appropriateness of any materials accessed on the Internet.

(9) Adults who are using the Internet or other library services and programs must supervise or provide guidance and behavior control for minors accompanying them. The library reserves the right to prohibit Internet use, and/or ask the adults and minor children to leave if unacceptable behavior persists.

(10) Georgia Library PINES policy requires the signature of a parent or legal guardian approving the application for a library card for anyone under the age of 18.

(11) The Ohoopee Regional Library System requires the parent or guardian of a minor child to be responsible for all overdue, lost or damaged materials and fines, fees and other debts accrued by a minor child.

(12) The Ohoopee Regional Library System will release circulation records of a minor child to a parent or guardian only upon presentation of the child’s library card or card number, or if the materials are lost, damaged or overdue. The reference questions of minor children will be considered privileged information as determined by state law and professional ethics.

(12) The Ohoopee Regional Library System will accept appropriate legal proof, including but not limited to marriage license or other court document, for patrons under 18 who claim emancipated minor status.