Children Visiting the Library
Library Policies:
Building Use Rules
Children Visiting the Library
Computer Use Policy
Computer Rules
The libraries in the Albuquerque/BernalilloCounty Library System are public
buildings and are open to all for approved use. Library staff strives
to ensure that all buildings are operated in a safe manner. Children
are very welcome in the libraries. However, because the buildings
are open to all, libraries cannot be considered safe places for
unattended children.
The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the
library rests with the parents, legal guardians, or other responsible
caregivers (hereinafter "parent or responsible caregiver")
and not with library staff.
In order to maintain an atmosphere where reading and study are
encouraged, the following policy is in effect:
- Children age 10 and under must be continually accompanied by
a parent or responsible caregiver. A parent or responsible caregiver
must remain with the children at all times and have emergency
contact information with them or available to them.
- If a child age 10 or under is found to be unaccompanied in the
library, staff will try to locate the parent or responsible caregiver
to remedy the situation. If a parent or responsible caregiver
is unavailable, law enforcement will be called.
- Children ages 11 and up may use the library without a parent
or responsible caregiver present. All children in the library
must follow all Building Use Rules and are expected to use the
library appropriately. Children who do not follow these rules
are subject to the same consequences as other library users, including
being required to leave the library.
- It may be necessary for a library to close, without prior notice,
due to unusual or emergency situations. Unaccompanied children
18 years and younger who cannot transport themselves must be able
to reach a parent or responsible caregiver for immediate pick-up
in case of emergency.
- Parents or responsible caregivers should be aware of library
closing times. If a child remains at the library after hours,
library staff may make an attempt to contact a parent or responsible
caregiver but may also immediately without recourse contact law
enforcement, the Children Youth and Families Department of the
State of New Mexico or other government agencies. Staff will not
transport a child nor will a child be allowed to sit in a staff
person's car.
- The children's area of the library is reserved for children,
their parents or responsible caregivers, and adults interested
in children's literature, such as teachers and college students
taking children's literature classes. Adults who are unaccompanied
by a child or children in the children's area of the library may
be questioned by staff, and may be asked to move to another area
of the Library.
This policy has been approved by the Albuquerque
City Attorney's Office and the Library Advisory Board; June 18,
2003
Need more information? Call Library Customer Service at (505)768-5170