The library will be closed at all locations at the following times:
Tuesday, December 24th at 12pm
Wednesday, December 25th, all day
Tuesday, December 31st at 2pm
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, all day
The library's temporary locations are at the Beech Street Center and the E.C. Benton Library. For more information, including hours of operation, please click here.

Safe Child Policy

SAFE CHILD POLICY

The Board of Library Trustees and staff strive to make the library a welcoming environment and take pride in creating a friendly, respectful atmosphere for all visitors, including children. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children on library premises rests with the parent or child care provider.

  • Children should use appropriate behavior and are subject to the same Behavior Policy as adult patrons. 
  • The responsibility for a child’s use of library materials, regardless of format or content, lies with the parent or guardian.
  • Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied at all times by a responsible person who must be at least 14 years old and provide direct supervision (within eyesight) at all times.  
  • Children aged 10 and older may use the library without an adult, provided they are able to use the library independently. They should know how to reach a parent or guardian. Children 10-13 years old should not be left alone for more than two hours. 
  • Unaccompanied children should know who is picking them up and when. A parent or caregiver should pick up children at least 15 minutes prior to the library’s closing time. If a child is alone at closing, library staff will attempt to contact a parent or caregiver and then the Belmont Police will be contacted to assume responsibility for the child. 
  • Staff members are unable to watch or transport children and cannot be responsible for a child in case of a medical emergency. Staff cannot regulate when or with whom children leave the library. 

Unattended Adults in Children / Teen Areas

Adults may visit the Teen Room / Programs or the Children’s Room / Programs only when accompanied by children or teens using those departments or retrieving materials for research or check out. Unaccompanied adults who are retrieving materials for research or check out may review the materials briefly in the Children’s / Teen spaces, but may be asked to relocate to the adult areas of the library if they are not in the company of children. 

Approved March 16th, 2017. 

Amended October 24th, 2019.

Amended November 21st, 2024.

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