Children are always welcome at the Southfield Public Library.
We are glad your children are here. The Library staff strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment for people of all ages. The Southfield Public Library encourages that visits to the Library be a family affair. Bring your child to the Library to help him or her choose books, use the computers, or attend a program. In this way, the child’s visit to the Library will be a happy and positive experience.
Parents, guardians and caregivers must also work with Library staff to provide a pleasant and safe environment for all patrons.
The Library staff is here to serve you. However, staff cannot assume the responsibility of a child’s care. The behavior and welfare of children are the responsibility of the parents, guardians or caregivers accompanying the child/children to the Library.
Library staff is happy to help children use the Library for the following purposes:
- Finding materials for school work and recreational reading.
- Providing an environment that encourages study and intellectual curiosity.
- Providing programs that inform and enrich.
The safety of children left alone in the Library is a serious concern of the Library Staff. Library facilities are not licensed or designated to provide basic child care needs and we are not a babysitting service. It is impossible for the Library Staff to guarantee the safety of an unattended child. The Library is a public building and it is not safe for young children to be left alone. Children may become frightened or bored and they could disturb the enjoyment and work of others.
The Southfield Public Library Board has established the following policies in order to maintain an environment of safety and to maintain an atmosphere where reading and study can be encouraged:
Unattended Children
Policy Statement: Children 12 years of age and younger may not be left unattended in the Library. Children 12 years of age and younger shall at all times be attended and supervised by a responsible adult (parent, guardian, other caregiver, age 18 years or older). Children of the above-cited age must be accompanied by an adult when in the restroom, elevator, stairwell, café or a lobby of the Library.
Older children and adolescents who come to the Library without a parent, guardian or caregiver are welcome for appropriate use of the Library, such as homework or reading. Children 12 years of age and older may use the Library for a period of no more than 2 hours provided that they are able to maintain appropriate Library behavior.
Children must have the telephone number of their parent, guardian or other designated adult so that a responsible adult may be contacted, if necessary, to come and pick up the child. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may serve as the grounds for removal of the child from Library property.
Disruptive behavior that is unacceptable in the Library includes, but is not limited to:
- Running, chasing.
- Shouting, loud conversation, arguments, foul language.
- Throwing books, magazines or toys.
- Bullying or bothering patrons.
- Consuming food.
- Vandalizing Library property or facilities.
If necessary the Library reserves the right to summon the police (Southfield City Ordinance §9.131A and §9.132.)
Unattended Children at Closing Time:
Policy statement: Parents must pick up their children no later than 10 minutes before closing time.
Parents, guardians, and caregivers should be aware of the Library’s hours and are expected to make advanced arrangements to pick up their children prior to closing.
