Sutton Free Library

​Sutton Free Library welcomes children to use its facilities for customary library activities. Responsibility for children using the library facilities rests with the parent/guardian. Parents need to be aware that the public library, as an institution, does not have legal “provision of care” responsibilities. For the protection and well-being of children enjoying the library, the following policy shall apply:

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• Responsible parties must remain in the building while a child younger than five (5) is utilizing the library or attending a program. 
   

• Children ages 12 and older may use the library unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. 
   

• Children 11 years of age or younger may use the library unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, or caregiver at the discretion of the library director.
   

• In special situations, such as library-sponsored programs in which the child is pre-registered, children five to twelve years of age may attend a program unaccompanied, after the parent or guardian checks in with library staff.  Exceptions must be approved by the library director.  
   

• Unaccompanied disruptive patrons/visitors may be asked to leave the library.
   

• Library staff cannot provide food (outside of library programs), transportation, or money to patrons.
   

• Library staff cannot take legal responsibility for a patron in a medical emergency.
   

• If an unaccompanied minor is in the library at closing time, the police may be contacted, if deemed necessary.
   

• These policies will apply to any off-site programs sponsored by SFL in addition to programs held in the library building itself.

 

Adopted by the Sutton Free Library Board of Trustees on February 3, 2015.