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Unattended Juveniles Policy

Amended by the Board of Trustees 10/18/2011
Unattended Juveniles Policy PDF

Need for this Policy:

A policy is necessary to address the issue of families using the library as a childcare center and leaving children unattended in the library.  The policy is also necessary to provide for the general safety of children in the library and to make parents aware that the library is a public building, open to all manner of people, and can therefore present risk to children.

Statement of this Policy:

  • Children under 11 must be accompanied at the library by a parent, guardian, or authorized caregiver age 13 or over.
  • Children under 8 must be accompanied in the Children’s Reading Room by a parent, guardian, or authorized caregiver age 13 or over at all times.  A parent may be asked to stay with his/her child, regardless of age, if the child’s behavior warrants it.
  • If a child remains at the library after closing time the librarian in charge will make sure the child has called for a ride.  The staff member will remain with the minor for 15 minutes at which time, if the child has not been picked-up, staff will notify the police.  The librarian will remain with the child until the police arrive.
  • Children of any age are not welcome in the library if they are ill or disruptive.

Responsibilities:

Minors are the responsibility of their parent, guardian, or authorized caregiver age 13 or over, not of the library.  The library takes no responsibility for the safety or welfare of children left unattended at the library.

If a child under 11 is left unattended at the library the librarian will call the parent or guardian to pick up the child.  If a parent or guardian cannot be reached, and/or cannot pick up the child, police will be called and apprised of the situation.

In the event of abuse of library privileges by a child, the library shall contact the parent/guardian.

Should the library need to contact a parent/guardian of any child and they are not on site or cannot be reached the librarian will notify the police.

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Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items
Limits on # of Materials Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All eligible item types. All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections. Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders