Carver County Library Board Policy: Volunteer Services
Section LB27

Date Approved: 6/10/2025
Previous Policy: 6/14/2022
Review Date: 6/2028

The Library welcomes and encourages people of all ages to use library facilities, resources, and services.

A child should be in the library with a parent/guardian or designated caregiver. Ultimate responsibility for the behavior and well-being of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or designated caregiver and not with the library’s personnel.

Library staff will take actions as outlined below in these or similar situations:

•  A child is engaged in behavior that is disruptive to other library users or to the normal operations of library business.
• A child is involved in a situation that is potentially harmful to the health or safety of themselves and/or others.
• A child is frightened or crying in the library.
• A child is left alone at the library at closing time.

Library staff members will evaluate the situation and try to contact a parent, guardian, and/or caregiver in the situations listed above. 

If a parent or responsible caregiver cannot be located or is unresponsive, staff will contact other local agencies, including local law enforcement agencies, as needed. Two staff members should remain with the child until law enforcement arrives. Under no circumstances will the staff members take the child out of the building or transport the child. 

Similar actions will be taken in the event that a vulnerable adult is left without assistance or supervision.   A vulnerable adult is any person 18 years of age or older who is unlikely or unable to report abuse or neglect because of impairment of mental or physical function or emotional dependence.