Unattended Children Policy

Schertz Public Library encourages visits to the library by children and strives to provide a welcoming place for them and their families. To provide for the general well-being and safety of children visiting the library, the Library has adopted the following guidelines. 

All children 7 years old or younger must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent, guardian, or a responsible parent-designated caregiver.

Children aged 8 through 12 may use the Children’s Area when unaccompanied, provided that a parent, guardian, or a responsible parent-designated caregiver remains in the building.

Parent-designated caregivers must demonstrate that they are willing and capable of supervising their younger charges or the Library will consider the child to be unattended.

All guests must abide by the Library’s Guest Behavior Policy, including children. Parents, guardians or parent-designated caretakers are responsible for monitoring and regulating the behavior of their children. Library staff does not assume the parental role or parental responsibility.

It is not the Library’s function to offer childcare. Unattended children will be questioned regarding parental presence and the Library will contact the Schertz Police Department if it finds that a child is left unattended in the Library. 

If at the time of closing, a child's parent or guardian has not arrived to pick up the child, staff will contact the Schertz Police Department. Library staff is not permitted to transport children in library or personal vehicles for any reason at any time.

Created: September 12, 2005
Endorsed by the Schertz Public Library Advisory Board February 6, 2006
Updated September 22, 2021
Endorsed by the Schertz Public Library Advisory Board November 1, 2021