The Derby Neck Library strives to foster a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for patrons of all ages, especially our youth under the age of eighteen (18). In order to accomplish this, we ask for the community’s cooperation in following our General Rules and Regulations. Additionally, we ask that youth and their parents or caregivers adhere to the following supervision policy, designed to communicate the Library’s concern for the safety of children in the Library and in accordance with Connecticut State law pertaining to unaccompanied minors:
- Library staff members are available to assist and support youth in accessing Library services, but will not act as caregivers. Parents and caregivers should be mindful that the Library is a public building open to all individuals, and that unattended youth may be vulnerable.
- Responsibility for youth accessing Library services on or off-site rests with their parents/caregivers.
- The staff does not monitor youth leaving the premises, nor is it their responsibility to know if a youth is leaving with a parent, guardian, relative or a stranger.
- Due to the Library’s proximity to Derby Middle School, a minor may be in the Library unsupervised beginning at age 11. That said, parents and caregivers should be aware that leaving a child under the age of 12 in a place of public accommodation may be considered a crime according to Connecticut Public Act No. 97-298.
- Youth under the age of 11 must have a responsible parent or caregiver with them at all times. This includes time spent at programs, unless otherwise advised by Library staff.
- Parents/caregivers are asked to remain in the immediate vicinity of the youth in their care and maintain eye contact
- If youth under the age of 11 are found unattended in the library, Library staff will assist them in locating their parent/caregiver to inform them of this policy. If the parent/caregiver is not in the building, Library staff will assist them in contacting their parent/caregiver so arrangements can be made for pick up.
- If unattended youth under the age of 11 are discovered in the Library at closing time, Library staff will again assist them in contacting their parent/caregiver and wait with them for 10 minutes. If the parent/caregiver has not arrived within that time period, the appropriate authorities will be contacted.
- Youth between the ages of 11 and 18 who are at the Library unsupervised must have an active library card to a Connecticut library that includes up-to-date contact information for a parent or caregiver.
- If youth between the ages of 11 and 18 cannot be given a Derby Neck Library card, Library staff will assist them in filling out the Information Form for Teens without a Library Card.
- If youth between the ages of 11 and 18 are in the Library at closing time, Library staff may assist them in contacting their parent/caregiver and wait with them for 10 minutes. If the parent/caregiver has not arrived within that time period, the appropriate authorities may be contacted per Library staff’s judgement.
- Youth who violate the General Rules and Regulations by not using the Library appropriately, who are engaged in disruptive, offensive or other inappropriate behavior, or who are disrespectful to the Library, the Library staff, or other patrons will be asked to leave the Library premises.
- The judgment of the Library staff prevails when requesting such removal.
- Parents/caregivers may be contacted to inform them of the removal request per Library staff’s judgement.
- If the unattended youth remains on Library premises, the appropriate authorities will be contacted.
- Should the need arise for Library staff to contact a youth’s parent or caregiver and they are unreachable for any reason, the appropriate authorities will be contacted.
- Under no circumstances will Library staff drive or accompany a youth home.
The Library assumes no responsibility for youth remaining on Library property after closing.