Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Policy on Children in the Library

Introduction

In order to maintain a safe and pleasant environment for work and study, the Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library adopts the policy below concerning children in the library. This statement is a supplement to UNTHSC Policy 8.00, Children on Health Science Center Property. To ensure the safety of all patrons and employees in the building and facilitate the pursuit of its education and research missions, the library reaffirms its commitment to UNTHSC Policy 8.00 and asks that children under the age of 16 not be left unattended in the building.

The Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library is a minimally supervised space with an environment tailored to the teaching and research needs of the students, staff, and faculty of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. The library is a multi-floor operation open for use by UNTHSC students, faculty, and staff, and by adult members of the public in accordance with UNTHSC policies and procedures. A child left in the library may become bored, frightened, ill, lost, or injured, and could encounter a variety of strangers.

Library staff do not have the time or expertise needed to supervise children in the building and cannot act in loco parentis, or “in the place of the parents.” The safety and security of children are the responsibility of their parents and adult guardians. For the safety and protection of all library patrons, Lewis Library issues the following policy.

Policy

For the purposes of this policy, “child” and “children” are defined as people under the age of 16.

1. Children under the age of 16 in the Lewis Library should be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. This includes the children of UNTHSC employees and students. While in Lewis Library, children are expected to follow the same behavior rules as other patrons.
    
2. If a child is in the library with an adult but is behaving inappropriately, library staff will inform the adult that the child should be supervised. If requested, the adult will be given a copy of the Policy on Children in the Library.
    
3. Children are not allowed to use Lewis Library computers without the direct and immediate supervision of a parent or guardian. Exceptions to this will be made for organized library visits by local high school science classes and for students enrolled in Fort Worth Independent School District’s health science magnet program. All patrons using library computers must abide by the UNTHSC Acceptable Use Policy for computing, which is available at http://www.hsc.unt.edu/policies/IRPolicies.cfm.
    
4. If an unattended child is found in the library, staff will attempt to contact the child’s parent or guardian and arrange for the child to be picked up or supervised. If requested, the adult will be given a copy of the Policy on Children in the Library.
    
5. If an unattended child becomes ill, injured, or involved in an incident, staff will attempt to contact a parent or guardian. If immediate action is required, staff will follow established UNTHSC emergency procedures.
    
6. This policy shall be considered/applied in conformity with other UNTHSC policies, including but not limited to UNTHSC Policy 8.00, Children on Health Science Center Property.

Lewis Library policies can be found online at http://library.hsc.unt.edu/policies/index.cfm.  Print copies of the policies can be obtained at the library Circulation Desk.

Policy last updated January 23, 2009.