Children in the Library

Procedure No: 20.05
Effective Date: 11/30/2001
Revised Date:

Purpose

To specify appropriate supervision and behavior for minor children in the Libraries in order to ensure children's safety and security and to maintain an environment for reading, research, and study.

Policy

The Ohio University Libraries provide an adult, unsupervised environment for the purpose of academic research and support of the University's curriculum and research activities. Staff members cannot act as monitors or guardians of minor children.

Minor children in the Library must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian or other responsible adult (18 years or older). Responsibility for the safety and behavior of minor children within the Library rests with the parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.

An adult (18 years or older) must provide direct supervision of children under the age of 12. Supervising adults will be asked to remove minor children who create a disturbance.

Children who are 12 years of age or older may use the library unsupervised as long as their behavior is appropriate to a library environment. Staff may ask unaccompanied children who are disruptive or behaving inappropriately to leave the premises or may call a University Police officer for assistance.