Youth Services Patron Use

POLICY:

The Council Bluffs Public Library strives to enrich, inform and empower the community by maintaining an inviting, educational, fun, and safe space for children and their caregivers.

PROCEDURE:

• Youth are defined as children birth through 12 years old.
• Caregivers are encouraged to accompany their children to the Youth Department to participate in activities, reading, programs, and the selection and use of Library materials. Library staff members cannot accept responsibility for supervising children left alone in the Youth Department.
• Unaccompanied adults may use the Youth Department to utilize the collection but may not loiter in the Youth Department or use Youth Department computers.
• Youth Department restrooms are only for the use of children and their caregivers.
• Youth Department computers and iPads are reserved for use by children 12 years old and younger. A family computer area is available on the second floor.
• The Youth Department allows food in designated areas only. Snacks must be single serving, dry, and cannot require heat or refrigeration. Drinks with lids are permitted throughout the room with the exception of the computer table.
• The Youth Department is a community space for children and their caregivers. Use of the space for agency or business meetings that are not directly related to observing a child at play or observing interaction between a caregiver and child is prohibited in the Youth Department.
• The Youth Department is a shared space. As such, toys and craft materials brought into the public space are allowed at the discretion of Youth Department staff.
• Programs for Youth are age restricted to encourage social development and learning. Unaccompanied adults and teens may not attend programs which are designated for children. Accommodations will be made for any individual who wishes to attend an age-appropriate program. Individuals must be accompanied by a caregiver if one-on-one attention is required.

Adopted: April 20, 2005

Amended & Reapproved: March 19, 2008; April 15, 2009; February 15, 2012; February 18, 2015; February 17, 2016; January 16, 2019; December 23, 2021; March 20, 2024