Whereas, the Syosset Public Library staff hopes that the children who use our facilities will find it a warm, inviting and fun place to be; and

Whereas, many programs are offered to make the library enticing to children and to help children enjoy their visits and develop a love of books, reading and libraries; and

Whereas, the happiness and safety of children left alone at the library can be a serious problem and it is not the function of the library to be, or serve as a care center for unattended young children, under the age of twelve (12).

Therefore Be It Resolved That: The library staff will not be responsible for children who have been left without supervision and are unable to care for themselves; and

The library and library staff unconditionally reserve the right to seek the intervention of police personnel, and/or appropriate social service or child protective agencies in appropriate circumstances of health emergency, or illness, early Library Department closing, or other circumstances which library staff reasonably believe subject a child to unwarranted physical or verbal abuse, or where a child causes substantial disruption to library operations and the quiet enjoyment of library facilities.  Reasonable efforts may be undertaken by library staff to ascertain the whereabouts of the parent or guardian of unattended children, except in emergency situations; however, library staff may seek intervention by police or other governmental agencies if the parent/guardian is not present in the library and cannot be contacted by telephone.

Adopted June 8, 1993