The City of Sundown Library welcomes children of all ages. Children are important and deserve attention, supervision, positive interaction and love. We provide materials, services and programs for the benefit of children in our community. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming, fun and safe environment for all library patrons.

The safety of children in the library is a serious concern to library staff and city government. Library staff have many duties to perform in order to serve all library customers. Staff cannot assume responsibility for the care and safety of unattended children in the library. Parents and responsible caregivers are expected to provide supervision for children in the library.

For the purpose of this policy, a responsible caregiver is defined as the person who accompanies a child to the library and attends to the child while in the library. Responsible caregivers may be a parent, guardian, adult relative, teacher, day care staff, adult baby sitter, or sibling at least age 16. The responsible caregiver must have information to be able to contact a parent or guardian if needed. Additionally, this policy defines a child as one who may be these ages as a whole-medical definition. If there are developmental delays, please take note of their safe zones.

We especially want children to have positive experiences in the library. Children left unattended in the library may become frightened or anxious. An unattended child may wander through the building and encounter hazards such as stairs, electrical equipment, doors, or furniture. An unattended child might be tempted to leave the building with a stranger. An unattended child could become ill. Emergency situations can occur in public buildings, requiring evacuation.

It is for the safety of each child that the City of Sundown Library has adopted this Safe Children Policy. Parents and caregivers are expected to ensure a pleasant and safe experience for the children in their care by abiding by this policy.

Children ages 6 & under

Must have a responsible caregiver within sight and conversation distance at all times. The caregiver is expected to supervise the child and ensure that the child’s behavior is not disturbing to other library patrons.

Lower elementary children (2nd-3rd grade)

Must have a caregiver present in the library during the entire time that they are using library resources. The caregiver must be readily accessible if staff should require assistance with the child. 

Please note for GAMING LOUNGE privileges of 3rd grader, caregiver must be in the library facility at all times.

Upper elementary children (4th-5th grade)

May be present in the library unaccompanied by a responsible caregiver but one should be within town. The child must have information to be able to contact a parent or guardian if needed. 

Unaccompanied children who disturb other library customers or become otherwise disruptive may be asked to leave the library if their behavior is not acceptable after a reasonable warning.

Middle & High Schoolers

May be present in the library unaccompanied by a responsible caregiver. Please note: disturbing other library customers of any age or becoming otherwise disruptive may result in being asked to leave the library if the behavior is not acceptable after a reasonable warning. Please be respectful and responsible.