Unattended Children Policy 

 

The Naperville Public Library welcomes and encourages the use of its services and facilities by 
children. Staff members are committed to helping children find materials which meet their needs, 
providing a welcoming environment, and planning and presenting programs that enrich, inform and 
entertain. Library facilities, however, are not licensed or designed to provide basic childcare needs 
such as physical exercise, nutrition, direct supervision, or emergency care. 

 

Any public place may be dangerous for a child who is left unattended even for brief periods of time. 

Staff members cannot know or be responsible if children are leaving the building with responsible 
caregivers or with strangers. When a child is left at the library without a parent or caregiver, the 
child’s boredom, fatigue, or fear may lead to behavior that disrupts the services the library staff 
provides for them and for others. 

 

Naperville Public Library encourages parents and caregivers to consider the safety and well-being of 
their children, as in any other public place, and the needs of other Library users of all ages. 

 

Provisions 

Parents and caregivers are responsible for their children in the library, whether or not the parent or 
caregiver is present. All Library customers are expected to follow the General Rules of Conduct and 
exhibit behavior that does not interfere with the ability for others to use the Library comfortably. 

 

Children under age 8 must be under the supervision of a parent or other responsible caregiver (age 
14 or older) at all times in the library. 

 

If an unattended child is disrupting others or asks for help finding their adult, Library staff will make 
every effort to find that child’s responsible parent or caregiver. Staff will ask the parent or caregiver 
to stay with and supervise the child. 

 

If a child under the age of 14 is found unattended at closing, Library staff will attempt to contact the 
child’s parent, guardian, or caregiver. If no contact can be made, two Library employees will stay with 
the child for 15 minutes after closing. If a responsible adult has not picked up the child at that time, 
Naperville Police will be called to assist in helping the child. 

 

Revision History 

Approved 8/19/92; Approved 7/12/00; Approved 6/4/03; Approved 8/17/05; Approved 8/15/07; 
Approved 8/19/09; Approved 9/21/11; Approved 11/18/13; Approved 11/18/15; Approved 11/15/17; 
Approved 12/16/20