We’ve had several people ask us recently about Girl Culture’s mature content and what happens when a young person expresses interest in seeing the exhibit.

New customers receive a vast amount of printed information from us. I usually give gallery visitors a copy of ConnectNOW, our monthly (and soon to be bi-monthly magazine of events and resources), Library Policies and Procedures, information about joining the Friends of the Library, the Exhibit Schedule, the current exhibit brochure and often a map showing them to the restrooms, cafe, stairs and elevator. That’s a lot of stuff.

Not wanting to overwhelm them, I admit I often forget to include a copy of our Unattended Child Policy. It’s there, with the cute baby on the front, staring me in the face, but it sometimes gets buried in the display rack. This exhibit has placed it front and center, and underscored a need to refresh our understanding of this policy. Download a copy here. To access other Library policies, click here.

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Unattended Child Policy
Revised and approved October 20, 2005
Library Board of Trustees
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library welcomes use by your child, and staff will assist him or her in use of Library materials and services. A responsible adult or caregiver shall accompany a young child while he or she is using the Library, for the child’s safety or comfort.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy,

• a child is anyone under 8 years old
• a caregiver is any individual 12 years of age or older who has the authority and responsibility to care for a child by the child’s parent or legal guardian

Policy

The Library does not act in loco parentis (in place of parents) and Library staff does not have the authority to take responsibility for your child. A child must be continually accompanied by a parent, a legal guardian, or caregiver unless the child is attending a library program.

If an unattended child calls attention to himself or herself, Library staff will attempt to locate the parent and/or caregiver in the Library and inform him or her of the policy.

If the parent and/or caregiver cannot be found, the Topeka Police Department will be asked to intervene. Parents, legal guardians, caregivers and children who are in violation of this policy are subject to suspension of library privileges.

Questions about this policy? We encourage your feedback in person, by telephone at 785-580-4400, or through our website at www.tscpl.org.