Safe Child Policy

The Tompkins County Public Library is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming, enjoyable, and safe environment for people of all ages. We offer many programs and services to encourage children and their families in developing a love of books, reading, and learning. Above all, however, our focus must be on ensuring the fundamental safety and well-being of children at the Library.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for the behavior of their children while they are in the Library and on Library property. Children, as with all Library patrons, must comply with the Library Code of Conduct.

The staff of the Tompkins County Public Library is committed to helping children and their families utilize Library resources most effectively. It is not the responsibility of Library staff, however, to provide short-term or long-term child care, or to be responsible for unattended children.

Unattended children are children of any age who are unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, and/or responsible caregiver. Children unable or unwilling to care for themselves may not be left alone in the Library and must have adequate supervision while they are in the Library. The Library is likewise not responsible for children who leave Library property unattended. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians/caregivers to know Library hours of operation and to promptly meet their children before the Library closes.

Revision History

PDF Version of the Policy