Westfield Athenaeum Library
Children - Disruptive behavior
Disruptive or Dangerous Behavior
POLICY STATEMENT: Parents and guardians — not library staff — are responsible for children's behavior in the library.
Parents and guardians should be advised that if their children misbehave, the child may be requested to leave the library. Parents and guardians must also realize that, even in their absence, they are legally responsible for their children's actions.
Children will not be allowed to run, yell, fight, climb, use abusive language or engage in any other unacceptable behavior in the library or on the library grounds so far as it is possible for the staff to observe. Should it be determined that a child is engaging in disruptive or dangerous behavior, the following steps will be taken:
- A staff member will advise the child to stop the behavior — once.
- If disruptive behavior continues, a staff member will ask the child to leave the library. The child may not return for the duration of that day.
- Should the child require a parent/guardian for transportation, the staff member will allow the child to call for transportation.
- The Westfield Police Department may be called to assist with disruptive children who do not adhere to disciplinary actions.
Approved by the Westfield Athenaeum Board of Trustees
February 23, 2004
