Unattended Children in the Library Policy

The Tinley Park Public Library welcomes the use of its facilities and services by children. Library staff members strive to support a safe, welcoming environment for children and families and are committed to the following:

• Helping children find educational and recreational materials
• Providing an environment that encourages study and intellectual curiosity
• Providing programs that inform and enrich
• Supporting children’s use of library resources within the limits of Library policies and staff roles

Library facilities, however, are not licensed or designed to provide basic care needs such as physical exercise, nutrition, or emergency care, nor are they to be used as an alternative shelter for children. The Library and its staff do not act in loco parentis (in place of parents or caregivers) and cannot assume responsibility for the supervision, discipline, or care of children. Any public place may present risks for a child who is left unattended. While the Library takes reasonable steps to maintain a safe facility, it is not possible for library staff to guarantee a child’s safety.

Children aged nine or under must be accompanied and attended to by a parent or other responsible person high school age or older who is taking an active role in attending to the children.  Children ages ten and over may use the library unattended provided they are able to follow Library policies, behave appropriately, and care for themselves while in the Library. In instances in which unsupervised children violate the patron behavior policy repeatedly, Library staff may contact or involve the child’s caregiver(s) or ask the child and their caregiver to leave the building for the day.

The Library encourages parents and caregivers to consider the safety and well-being of their children and the needs of other library users of all ages.

Parents and caregivers are responsible for the behavior of their children in the library, whether or not the parent is present.

Procedures

If it is determined that a child is lost or unattended:

• Staff will ask the child where the parent or caregiver is and use the in-house intercom system to attempt to locate the child’s parent or caregiver.
• If there is no response to the announcement, staff will walk around both levels of the Library with the child to try to find the parent.
• If a parent or caregiver is not found in the building, staff will attempt to call the parent or caregiver and request that they pick up their child. Staff will obtain the phone number from the child or through the circulation database if possible and appropriate.
• If a parent or caregiver cannot be reached within 30 minutes, or if they do not respond in 30 minutes, the police will be asked to assume responsibility.

If it is determined that a child is left unattended at closing time:

• Staff will attempt to call a parent or adult caregiver. If a parent or adult caregiver does not arrive within 15 minutes, or if they do not respond within 15 minutes, Library staff will notify the police.
• If the child is under age 14, at least two staff members will wait with the child inside the Library until a parent/caregiver or police arrive.
• If, after 15 minutes, a parent or caregiver does not arrive, Library staff members will notify the police and wait with the child until the police arrive. Staff that must wait will be paid for their time.
• Library staff members are prohibited from transporting any child home or to any other location.

Adopted 5/02
Revised 7/07, 3/11, 9/20
Reviewed 10/14
Revised 03/25/2026