The Board of Library Trustees and staff of the Herrin City Library are committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for all children who visit the library.  As a public facility, the library takes reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of children while they are using the library.  Library facilities are not designed or licensed to provide childcare needs including emergency care, nutrition, adult supervision, or physical exercise. Parents and caregivers are responsible for their children’s behavior regardless if the parent or caregiver is with their children in the library.

All library users are expected to conform to the Patron Conduct Policy and exhibit behavior that does not interfere with normal operations of the library or disturb library users or staff. Parents are also responsible for instructing their children about what to do should an emergency situation occur during their visit.

  • Children ages 0 – 8 must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent/guardian or other responsible caregiver of at least 14 years of age.
  • Children ages 9-13 must have a caregiver who is 14 years or older within the building.
  • Children ages 14 & up may use the library independently.

Library users who are not in compliance with the Unattended & Unsupervised Children Policy will be advised by library staff of the requirements of this policy.  Remedies for violations of this policy include removal from library premises and suspension of library privileges.

Updated: 4-12-2022

Unattended Children Parental Notification Letter

Dear _______________________,

The Herrin City Library has recently experienced an incident involving your child, ___________________________________________________________________, when he/she was on Library grounds unattended by you or a responsible caregiver.  A copy of the Library’s policy on Unattended Children is enclosed here for your attention.  We ask that you review this policy and make every effort to follow it.  We do not wish to suspend Library privileges for you or your family, but the safety of children as well as the proper operation of the Library is our first responsibility.  If you have any questions regarding this policy or its enforcement, please contact the undersigned.

Signed,

­____________________________________________

Library Director or Board President