Policy Name: Unaccompanied Children
Policy #: 150 (r)
Adopted: February 26, 1997
Revised: Approved by Board, May 12, 2026

Purpose

To provide for the general welfare of all persons using the Library, and in particular to provide for the general safety of children using the Library.

Summary

Parents may not leave children under the age of 10 unattended in the Library. Parents or caregivers are responsible for their children’s behavior in the Library. While the Library assumes no responsibility for children left unattended on the premises, it has adopted staff procedures to deal positively with the issues of safety and security specifically related to minors. Children of any age are subject to the same rules of behavior as adults and can be asked to leave.

Policy

The Board of Directors of the New Orleans Public Library declares the following to be policy and procedures governing the safety and security of unattended children and requires that such rules be made available at all Library locations.

The New Orleans Public Library encourages children of all ages to visit the Library. However, the Library assumes no responsibility for unattended children.

1. If it is determined that a child under the age of 10 is left unattended without a caregiver aged 16 or older and is in violation of library rules, the Library staff will attempt to identify and locate a parent or responsible caregiver in the building. The staff will explain the Library policy to the parent or caregiver.
2. If the parent or caregiver cannot be located in the building, the staff will attempt to contact the parent or caregiver by talking to the child or referring to library records. If the parent or caregiver is contacted, the staff will explain library policy and remind them that they are legally responsible for their children’s safety and behavior even in their absence. If the parent or caregiver cannot be located or contacted, the police will be contacted at the non-emergency number 504-821-2222.
3. If a child under the age of 13 is left unattended and without transportation at closing, staff will attempt to contact the parent or caregiver by telephone. The parent or caregiver will be asked to pick up the child. If the parent or caregiver has been contacted but does not arrive within the agreed upon time or 30 minutes after closing, staff will contact the police at 504-821-2222. A staff member should never wait alone with a child. At least two library staff members will stay with the child until the parent or police arrive. Staff members should never drive a patron home nor take them from the Library premises.
4. No unattended child under the age of 10 will be removed from the building except into the custody of a parent, caregiver, or the police.