The Shaker Heights Public Library welcomes children to use its facilities and services. However, the responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or caregiver. Children under ten, especially, should be closely supervised by a parent or responsible caregiver who is within sight of the child, at least 12 years of age, and able to attend to the child’s health, safety, and behavior. Library staff is not responsible for determining whether an apparent caregiver is a legally authorized caregiver, custodian, or custodial parent of a child.

Library staff cannot monitor, supervise, or entertain individual children or groups of children. Teachers, daycare providers, or other youth leaders may not leave groups of unattended students in the library, regardless of the age of the students.

On a case by case basis, if library staff determines that a child is unattended or vulnerable, the staff will make a reasonable effort to locate the adult responsible for the child within the library. Library personnel have the option of calling the police for assistance if the parent or guardian is not located within fifteen minutes of the staff’s awareness that the child is unattended.

If a child is left unattended at closing time, staff will make a reasonable effort to locate the parent/guardian.  If the parent/guardian has not arrived by the posted closing time, staff will turn the child over to the Shaker Heights Police Department. At no time may library staff transport customers of any age. At closing the building is locked, and no one is available to oversee the exterior or adjacent grounds. Parents should be aware of the library’s hours and keep in mind that those hours may change due to holiday schedules, inclement weather, or other unforeseen emergencies.

If a child’s behavior is disruptive or violates the Code of Conduct, library staff will ask the accompanying adult to regulate the child’s behavior; if the behavior persists, adult and child may be asked to leave. Youth who are not accompanied by an adult and whose behavior is disruptive or violates the Code of Conduct may be asked to leave.

Approved by the Shaker Heights Public Library Board of Trustees 4/8/1996, 12/14/2010, 10/15/2018, 10/21/2024