DEPARTMENT GOAL

            The West Plains Public Library encourages children of all ages to visit the library to take advantage of the resources available for them to meet their informational, recreational, and educational needs.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT USE OF THE LIBRARY

      Children and young adults have access to all library materials and services with age restrictions when using computers and the Internet.  (See Public Access Computer Policy.)

     Restricting access to library materials and services to children is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

The responsibility for materials used by minors rests completely with their parents or legal guardians. Materials selected for the Adult and Young Adult collection are intended for mature readers. Checkouts to minors from these collections are allowed with the signed parental permission on a minor’s library card form. Minors will be allowed checkouts from each library collection that has been approved with signed parental permission. Separate collections are available for children and young people, but it is not the responsibility of the Library, its Board of Trustees, staff, or volunteers to determine which collection they should use or what item in the approved collections is suitable for an individual.

SUPERVISION OF MINORS IN THE LIBRARY

    For purposes of this policy, minors shall be defined as library patrons under the age of seventeen.

  The safety and responsibility for minors lie solely with the parent, guardian, or chaperone of that minor and not with the library staff.

   Children seven years old and under must be directly supervised by an adult at all times.

    Parents, guardians, teachers, or chaperones are responsible for the behavior of the children in their care.  If the parent or responsible party does not take appropriate action for a child that is misbehaving, the library staff may take action.

UNATTENDED MINORS IN THE LIBRARY

          The library staff assumes no responsibility for minors left unattended during or after library hours.

Policy approved at the August 19, 1998 meeting of the West Plains Public Library Board of Trustees by Board President Mike Newton.  Policy revised at the August 16, 2000 meeting of the West Plains Public Library Board of Trustees by Board President Mike Newton.  Policy revised regarding the age of minors at the June 17, 2002 meeting of the West Plains Public Library Board of Trustees, Peggy Kissinger, President.

Amended by West Plains Public Library Board of Trustees July 10, 2023.