Children and Dependent Individuals Policy

The Castleton Public Library welcomes and encourages children and dependent individuals to visit the library, to use library resources and services, and to attend library programs. The library does not provide care, accept responsibility for or supervise children or other dependent individuals, except in order to uphold library rules of conduct and usage thereof. The library is not staffed to provide short or long term care for individuals and is not a substitute for supervised after-school activities or daycare programs. Parents or designated caregivers are solely responsible for the supervision and behavior of their children or dependent individual while using the library. Library staff members are available to help and support children and dependent individuals, and to make their library usage a rewarding and positive experience.

The following policy has been established to ensure the protection, safety and well being of children, and further specifies library rules of conduct:
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1. A caregiver must accompany and stay with any children age five (5) and younger at all times.
2. Children age eight (8) or younger must be accompanied by an adult or responsible adolescent that is at least 15 years of age.
3. Children 9 – 17 years may use the library without caregiver supervision. All library users must adhere to the Patron Conduct Policy. Parents are advised that if their child misbehaves the child may be asked to leave the library premises. Parents must realize that, even in their absence, they are legally responsible for their child’s behavior.
4. Transportation arrangements for pick-up of children (9 – 17 years) must always be made prior to their arrival at the library.
5. Castleton Public Library and its staff do not exercise a restrictive role in determining which library resources young people may use or access. It is the responsibility of a child’s parents and/or designated caregiver to monitor the child’s selection and use of library resources, including the child’s access to and/or usage of the internet.

Adopted March 21, 2011
Updated: May 21, 2018
Updated: April 19, 2021