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Children’s Services

I. Philosophy of service

In accordance with the principles expressed in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and “Free Access to Libraries for Minors” (Intellectual Freedom Manual, 4 th edition, American Library Association, 1992), every child in Massachusetts is entitled to a free, readily accessible and specialized program of public library service. The goals of public-library service to children are to introduce them to the love of reading and literature; to develop capable, critical users of information and technology; and to encourage each child to develop to her or his fullest potential. Children must have access on an equal basis with adults to all the services and materials the library provides including access to new technologies as they develop. The vitality of the entire library and the wide range of user needs are best served when children’s services functions fully in the total complement of library services.

Adopted December 14, 1995

II. “Free Access to Libraries for Minors:
An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights”

Library policies and procedures which effectively deny minors equal access to all library resources available to other users violate the Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.

Article 5 of the Library Bill of Rights states, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.” The “right to use a library” includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Each restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, or legal emancipation of users violates Article 5.

Libraries are charged with the mission of developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interests of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities which fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development area necessary part of library resources. The needs and interests of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interests, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interests of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, level of education, or legal emancipation.

The selection and development of library resources should not be diluted because of minors’ having the same access to library resources as adult users. Institutional self-censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community, and restricts access for all library users.

Librarians and governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions on access to library resources in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections from parents or anyone else. The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries do not authorize librarians or governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources. Parents or legal guardians who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials, or facilities, should so advise their children. Libraries and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal access to all library resources for all library users.

Librarians have a professional commitment to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free and equal access to the entire range of library resources regardless of the content, approach, format, or amount of detail. This principle of library service applies equally to all users—minors as well as adults. Librarians and governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.

III.Policy for the safety of children in the library

The staff of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library hopes that the children who use our library will find our facilities to be warm and inviting places to develop a love of books, reading, and libraries.

Many programs are offered to make the library enticing to children. However, children left unattended for several hours when no library programs are offered may become disruptive. Young children are not safe when left unattended in the library. It is impossible for the staff to know whether children are leaving the building with parents or with strangers. In order to create an environment of safety, and maintain an atmosphere where reading and study can be encouraged, the following policy has been established:

Children are expected to adhere to the same rules of behavior and library use as stated for all patrons, with the following additions:

Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children in the library, and may not leave children under the age of 8 unattended.
If a problem arises with children of any age and we are unable to locate the parent(s), or if the library is closing and the parents cannot be located, the police may called at the discretion of the staff.
Children age 8 and older may be left unattended, at the discretion of their parents, for the period of time needed for browsing in the library or to complete homework assignments or special projects. Children left unattended should know how to reach a parent or guardian and parents should be aware of the closing time of the library.

When children are left unattended, repeatedly and/or for long periods of time, the staff may notify parents of the library’s policies.

When children are attending library programs, parents must be aware of the times of the programs, so their children do not have to wait for unreasonable amounts of time to be picked up. Parents should have their children wait for them inside the building. Parents of children age 5 and under should remain in the building or on library property throughout the program.

Children should arrive for programs on time, in order that programs in progress will not be disrupted.

Library staff members will NOT transport children from the library to any other location, except in cases of extreme emergency.
In case of medical emergency involving a child, library will call 911 first and then contact the parents.