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377 ELKWOOD AVENUE
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ 07974
908-665-0311

Unaccompanied Children & Patrons with Special Needs Policy

All patrons are entitled to a pleasant and safe library environment.  Behavior conducive to this environment is expected of every library user.  To ensure that children and visitors with special needs are properly attended, both for their own safety and for the comfort of other library users, the Board of Trustees has established this policy regarding the use of library facilities.

Parents and caregivers, not library staff members, are responsible for the behavior of their charges while in the library. The parent or caregiver of a child under the age of 11 must remain in the same room with the child whenever the child comes to the library, including during programs and story times. Caregivers of visitors with special needs of any age must also remain in the same room with their charges.

Children eleven years-old and older are permitted to be in the library on their own.  Parents, however, should not regularly leave a child unattended at the library for long intervals of time or leave a child unattended for a longer period than the child can reasonably occupy his or her time with appropriate library pursuits. The library is not legally responsible for any minors left alone in the library. The responsibility for what children read, view and listen to rests with their parents or legal guardians. New Providence Memorial Library cannot assume this responsibility in loco parentis.

If any child becomes distraught or disruptive or otherwise behaves inappropriately while in the library, a library staff member will request that the child behave appropriately and/or ask the child’s parent or caregiver to supervise the child.  If the child continues to behave in an upset or disruptive manner, and the parent cannot be located in a reasonable amount of time, a library staff member may ask the police to take charge of the child.

Appropriate behavior includes:  reading, researching, doing homework, writing, supervised computer use, participating in library-sponsored programs, sitting quietly, or talking in a low tone of voice.

Inappropriate behavior includes:  loud or abusive talking, fighting, running, throwing anything, moving or abusing equipment or furniture, eating, damaging library materials, or any behavior that hinders normal use of the library by patrons and staff, or that endangers the safety of others.  In the case of vandalism or illegal activities, the police will be summoned immediately.

Parents should understand that library staff members are not allowed to transport a child or special needs visitor anywhere, give any visitors food (due to potential allergic reactions), or to stay alone with a child or special needs visitor after the library closes.  If a child remains in the library when the library is about to close, two staff members will remain with the child long enough for the police to take charge of the child. The library cannot assume responsibility for children in loco parentis.

Approved May 20, 2008: Revised September 21, 2021; revised November 21, 2023

 

Discover, Collaborate, Connect

Your Library is the place to be!

We love seeing so many people in our thriving New Providence community using the Library. Our numbers have never been higher! Whether you come to the library to sit and read, stay and work, attend programs, discuss great books, listen to author talks, meet with special interest groups, borrow materials, or shop in our bookstore, we love seeing you here!

It is clear that our library provides so many things for different groups of people. We appreciate every child, student, teen, adult, and senior who comes through our door and becomes part of our library family. We hope you'll join us!

~ Stacey Maisch, Library Director