Children, and their safety, are of great concern to Perry Public Library. The Library staff tries very hard to ensure that all patrons have a fun pleasant time while visiting the library.
Parents need to remember that the library is a public place that welcomes customers of all ages. The Library staff cannot monitor children when they leave the Library building. The staff also cannot prevent children from interacting with persons whose interest in children may not be entirely wholesome.
For their safety, we require that children under age 8 have a responsible person (age 16 or older) with them at all times in all areas of the Library. Children ages 8-12 must have an responsible person (age 16 or older) on the Library premises at all times.
Also, if the young child is attending a Library program, it is required that the responsible person to remain in the Library throughout the program unless given permission by the staff to leave. If the responsible person cannot be located either in the Library or at home within one hour or program’s completion, the Library will contact the local police to pick up the child.
Library staff will contact the police if there are any children not picked up from the Library within fifteen minutes of closing. Staff will remain with the child until a responsible person or police arrive. Staff is not to transport any child from the Library to another location.
Children of all ages should be reminded that appropriate behavior is expected of them at all times while visiting the library.
Parents and caregivers, not Library staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children in the Library.
It is the charge of the Perry Public Library staff to see that the rights of individuals to use the Library are upheld. The Library staff is obligated to enforce these rules so that the facilities can be used to the fullest by all persons.
It is the patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper behavior standards in order to protect his or her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons.
At times it may be necessary for the staff to limit seating to no more that 4 persons per table if a group becomes a disturbance.
This policy does not prohibit quiet conversation between patrons and/or staff members or conversations required to carry on Library programs or business. It is designed to preserve a reasonably quiet atmosphere where Library patrons may study and otherwise use Library materials without disturbance.
Patron identification, that is, name, address and phone number may be requested if necessary.
The staff will normally allow the offender(s) one warning prior to expulsion. The staff may expel the offender(s) without a warning, at the discretion of the staff, for situations of serious, threatening or willfully malicious behavior.
Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be subject to the law.
If a patron becomes a repeat offender, that patron may be restricted from the Library and from the use of the Library facilities.