Purpose
The Cape Breton Regional Library is open to all members of the public, including youth. The safety and well-being of youth in library branches is of special concern. This policy explains the patron and staff responsibilities for ensuring youth safety in the library.
Definitions
For this policy:
- A “youth” is anyone under 19 years old.
- A “parent” is the birth, adoptive, or foster parent of a youth.
- A “guardian” is someone with legal responsibility for a youth’s care and custody.
- A “caregiver” is someone trusted by a parent or guardian to take care of a youth. Caregivers must be 12 years old or older.
Scope
The Cape Breton Regional Library and its staff are not responsible for ensuring the safety or closely monitoring the behaviour of youth in library branches.
Youth behaviour and safety are the responsibility of their parents or guardians, both when the parent or guardian is with the youth at the Library and when the youth is visiting the library without a parent or guardian. This includes during any library programs, community events, public meetings, tutoring sessions, etc., that a youth or parent may be attending at the Library. Like all Library users, youth must follow the Library Code of Conduct.
Anyone 8 years old or younger must be supervised at all times by an attentive parent, guardian, or responsible caregiver. Youth of any age who need supervision must also be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or caregiver.
If Library staff notice and feel that the safety of any youth is in doubt, they will attempt to communicate with the parent or guardian. If this is not successful, staff will notify a community agency responsible for the care and well-being of youth. Such agencies may include police or the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services (Child Welfare Division).