Purpose
 
The Princeton Public Library welcomes children of all ages to visit the library in hopes that they find it to be a fun, inviting, exciting, and safe environment. The library has programs and resources to entice our youth. Through our resources, the library wants to spread the joy of reading and learning for our children.
 
The library staff encourages children to develop a love of reading and learning in a safe environment, but is not responsible for their care, their supervision, or for accidents or other emergencies that may take place within the library or upon library grounds.
 
In order to ensure a child’s safety and well-being, certain guidelines must be followed.
 
Responsibility
 
Parents/caregivers are responsible for the conduct of their child (under 18) while the minors are on library property regardless of whether they accompany the minor to the library. This includes supervising access to library materials.
At all times the responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children lies with the parent/caregiver. This includes times when the parent/caregiver is not present within the library building or on library grounds. 
Library staff will determine whether a child’s behavior is inappropriate while at the library and will respond to such situations in the manner deemed appropriate based on the Library’s Code of Conduct policy. 
Parents/caregivers are responsible for any actions including, but not limited to, monetary responsibility for property damage or loss caused by their children under the age of 18.
 
Overview 
 
Children under 12 must have a parent/caregiver in the library building with them at all times, though the assigned caregiver does not have to be in the immediate vicinity of the child.
Teens 13 and older may use the library on their own accord provided they comply with all library rules and policies, and have the telephone number of a parent/caregiver who could assist them in an emergency.
 
 
Closing
 
Arrangements should be made for the pickup of any child under the age of 16 at least 15 minutes before library closing time. 
If parent/caregiver contact cannot be established within 15 minutes after closing, library staff will notify the police and the child will be placed in their custody. 
An incident report will be filled out with as much information as is available for reporting purposes and documentation of turning the child over to the police. The PALS Board will receive a copy of the incident report.
Library staff are not permitted to provide transportation for any child after closing.

Adopted by PALS Board April 20th, 2026