Purpose
The Denver Public Library (“Library”) is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for families and individuals under the age of 18 years old (“minors”). To make the Library facilities an enjoyable place and to encourage a love of books, reading, and learning, we offer designated areas, programs, and services for minors . We hope you will help your minors make effective use of the Library and assist them in selecting books and materials, using the computers, or attending programs. Together, we can provide a fun and positive experience when visiting the Denver Public Library.
Access to Minor's Areas
There are areas designated for minors that are specifically designed to serve the needs of young customers. Library staff will ask adults loitering in these areas who are not using the area for the intended purpose to relocate to other areas of the Library or, under certain circumstances, to leave the Library. Staff members will place the safety of minors in the Library first. Adults with minors in their charge and care are the only adults allowed to use these designated locations and the restrooms located in those areas.
Parent/Guardian Expectations and Responsibilities
Because the Library is a public place, a minor's safety cannot be guaranteed. Minors may encounter hazards such as stairs, elevators, doors, furniture, electrical equipment, or interactions with other Library customers. The conduct, safety, and supervision of minors while on Library premises are the responsibility of parents, guardians, and caregivers supervising such minors. It is the responsibility of parents, guardians, and caregivers to determine the supervision needs of their minors and to provide such supervision accordingly. While Library staff value the safety and wellbeing of minors visiting Library facilities, only the parents, guardians, and caregivers of such minors can provide appropriate supervision while the minors are visiting the Library facilities. Neither the Library nor its staff members act in loco parentis (in place of parents). Appropriate supervision provided by parents, guardians, and caregivers will assist Library staff in creating a pleasant and safe environment for Library customers of all ages.
Staff Role
Library staff members have many duties to fulfill and cannot supervise minors in the Library or when the minor leaves the building. However, if a Library staff member is concerned that a minor may not be sufficiently capable and mature to be on Library premises without appropriate parent, guardian or caregiver supervision, the Library staff member may take action to correct the situation and will inform Library management of the concerns and the actions taken.
In order to ensure a positive Library experience for everyone, if a minor appears not to be sufficiently capable or mature to be on Library premises without parent, guardian or caregiver supervision:
- Library staff will try to comfort the minor if they are ill, hungry or upset. Library staff will make a concerted effort to locate the minor’s parent, guardian, or caregiver in the Library and express the Library’s concern for the minor’s safety, and deliver the Library’s Safety for Minors Policy. If Library staff is unable to locate the parent, guardian, or caregiver in the Library, Library staff will make a concerted effort to contact the parent, guardian or caregiver to pick up the minor. Library staff will express the Library’s concern for the minor’s safety and explain the Library’s Safety Policy for Minors. If the parent, guardian, or caregiver cannot be located within a reasonable time, Library staff will call the Denver Police Department to assist in locating the minor’s parent, guardian or caregiver. The Denver Police Department will then assume responsibility for the minor. It is possible that such parent, guardian or caregiver may be liable for any resulting civil or criminal liability. Library staff will notify the Library security team that the Denver Police Department has been notified of the situation.
- Library staff will encourage any unattended minor to contact their parent, guardian, or caregiver before closing time of the particular Library branch facility. If a parent, guardian, or caregiver cannot be reached or does not arrive within 15 minutes after closing, Library staff will call the Denver Police Department to pick up the minor for safety purposes. Library staff will notify the Library security team that Denver Police have been notified of the situation. These same actions will be followed for emergency closures of a Library branch facility. At least two Library staff members will remain with the minor until the parent, guardian, caregiver or police arrive, whomever arrives first. Once the minor is in the protective care of the Denver Police Department, a note will be attached to the Library entrance or entrances, with the following information: “Unattended minor is in the care of the Denver Police Department.” Neither the name of the minor nor the name of the parent, guardian, or caregiver will be listed on the note. It is possible that such parent, guardian or caregiver may be liable for any resulting civil or criminal liability.
- Library staff will not transport any unattended minor from the Library to another location, including any locations specified by the minor’s parent, guardian or caregiver.
Enforcement of the Safety Policy for Minors
Enforcement of the Safety Policy for Minors will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Parents, guardians, and caregivers acknowledge the risk of leaving a minor unattended in the Library and release the Library from all claims which they may have or which they may have on the behalf of their minor. This Minor Safety Policy is to be read in conjunction with all other policies and procedures adopted by the Denver Public Library Commission; such policies may include, without limitation, the Library Use Policy that may be found at https://www.denverlibrary.org/content/library-policies-resources. This Minor Safety Policy may be revised or restated from time to time by the Denver Public Library Commission in its sole discretion.
Minor Safety Policy Revised by the Denver Public Library for Commission review February 2025