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The purpose of the Safe Child Policy is to provide Library Staff with the guidelines when confronted with a situation where a child, teen or young adult's conduct is unacceptable or the security of a young person is at risk.
Greater Sudbury Public Library (GSPL) recognizes that people of all ages have the right to a welcoming, respectful, supportive and safe environment when they visit the Library. Library Staff are trained to assist children and teens in using the Library; however, parents and caregivers are responsible for their child's safety and supervision.
Library facilities are public buildings with all the inherent risks of such setting. Library policies and services are designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for library users of all ages. Parents and caregivers need to use the same precautions with their children at the library as they would in any public setting.
All customers are expected to abide by the Respect for Rights to Use the Library and Access to Information.
Responsibility for the behaviour and well-being of any child who uses the library rests solely on the parent or with the caregiver assigned by the parent. GSPL is a busy public place and Library Staff cannot assume responsibility for children left unattended within our public facilities. As a public facility, the Library does not monitor activities of its patrons unless there is a problem with conduct as outlined in the Respect for Rights to Use the Library and Access to Information policy.
If a school-aged child is noticed to be spending considerable time in the Library during the school day, Library Staff may check with the individual and ask that a parent confirm with the Library that they are aware of their child's whereabouts. This applies to those up to the age of 16.
Library Staff will not give out any information to any person over telephone or through social media as to whether a person is currently in the Library or has been in the Library recently. Library Staff may offer to take a message and ask the child to call the person back. In the case of a missing person, Library Staff will share information with law enforcement requesting specific personal information.
GSPL recognizes the following terms as stipulated in the Ontario Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) with regards to unattended children:
The legislation does not specify an age at which the child can be left alone, rather the legislation sets out to protect young people from any type of abuse or neglect and requires that all parents and caregivers make reasonable plans (which will vary according to a child's age, maturity and circumstances) for the supervision of young people under the age 16 in their care:
To this end, GSPL expects parents, caregivers and teachers to:
At Greater Sudbury Public Library:
The Library Staff will be guided by this policy in situations where:
When Library Staff are presented with any of these situations, Library staff will first attempt to locate the parent or caregiver to alert them of the situation. When a child's behaviours or actions are inappropriate, Library Staff will inform parents of the Library's policies.
Where a parent or responsible caregiver cannot be contacted, Library Staff will: