Santa Clara City Library is a youth development organization designed to support children and
teens to thrive in learning, health, literacy, exploration, and discovery. Children of all ages are
welcome and encouraged to use the library’s materials, programs and services. This policy is
intended to protect the safety and well-being of children that use the City Library and to create a
positive experience.

Responsibilities of Parents or Caregivers
The Santa Clara City Library, including the bookmobile, are public facilities that are open to
everyone, regardless of origin, age, background, and views. Library staff strive to ensure that all
facilities are operated in a safe manner. However, the responsibility for the safety and behavior
of children in the library rests with their parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other responsible
caregiver(s)¹ (hereinafter "parent or responsible caregiver"). Library staff are not responsible for
the care and safety of unattended children in the library.

In order to maintain a safe atmosphere where library visitors of all ages can use and enjoy the
library, children and teens are expected to follow the Library’s Rules of Conduct. Parents or
responsible caregivers are to ensure that these expectations are met as needed.

Unattended Children
Children ages 10 or under must always be physically accompanied by a parent or responsible
caregiver, anywhere on library premises. Children ages 11 and older may use the library without
a parent or responsible caregiver present, but must be able to reach a parent or responsible
caregiver immediately, either in person or by phone.

Parents and responsible caregivers should consider the following when deciding whether their
child is ready to visit the library on their own:

• Staff are available to assist children at the library, but staff may not act in the place of a
  parent as guardian for children at the library for any length of time.
• The library contains collection for all ages, as well as unfiltered internet access.
• Situations may arise when, due to unusual or emergency circumstances, it may be
  necessary for the library to close without prior notice.
• The library does not observe the same schedule everyday.

Designated Children’s Spaces
In order to create a space that invites reading, exploration, curiosity, learning, and making
community connections for children and their families, the Library provides designated children’s
and teen’s areas. These spaces welcome children and their parent or responsible caregivers to
access age-appropriate library collections, services, and programs.

At Central Park and Northside Branch Libraries, designated family restrooms are provided within
or near the children’s and teen’s areas. These restrooms are intended and prioritized for the use
of children and their parents or responsible caregivers.

Staff Intervention
Library staff respects the privacy of all library visitors, and although the library is not responsible
for determining if a child is at risk, staff may intervene and contact the parent/guardian of the child
or law enforcement in the following situations:

• Children of any age that have not been picked up at library’s closing time will be given the
  opportunity to contact their parent or responsible caregiver. At least two staff members will
  remain with the child until the child has been picked up. If fifteen minutes after closing the
  child is still waiting at the library and staff are unable to contact their parent or responsible
  caregiver, staff will contact law enforcement to escort the child to a safe location until
  parents can be reached.
• All children must follow the Library’s Rules of Conduct and use the library appropriately.
  Children who fail to comply may be subject to the same consequence processes as
  indicated in the policy.

¹ - A responsible caregiver must be at least 14 years old.

Downloadable policy document: Policy for Youth Visiting the Library

Revised and Approved by the Board of Library Trustees, May 5, 2025

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