Minors Policy
Belk Library and Information Commons Policy on Unaccompanied Children
Individuals 12 and under must be accompanied and closely supervised by a parent or caregiver, age 18 or older. Adults who bring minors into the library are responsible for monitoring their activities and regulating their behavior at all times.
Belk Library and Information Commons is an academic library that welcomes community users. As an academic library the focus is on providing resources and services meeting the curricula and research needs of the students, faculty and staff of Appalachian State University. Behavior expectations for patrons, regardless of age or affiliation, are outlined in Belk Library and Information Commons Conduct Policy.
Parents and caregivers are responsible for a minor's use of the resources and facilities of the Library, including use of the Internet. It should be noted that the Library's computers contain no filtering software. See the University's Policy on the Use of Computers and Data Communications and the Library's Internet Access Policy.
Belk Library and Information Commons is a large, public access building. A child left alone could possibly be persuaded to leave with a stranger, become disoriented within the building, or engage in conduct which may lead to injury. Appalachian State University, including library staff, cannot monitor the location of library users or be responsible for the safety of children of any age who are in the Library.
The following procedures will be followed by library staff when children age 12 and under are in the Library and appear to be unaccompanied by a responsible adult.
- The child(ren) will be asked if an adult is with them. If the response is affirmative, the child(ren) will be asked where the adult is and accompanied to join the adult. If the response is negative, the child(ren) will be told that they cannot be in the Library without an adult. The child(ren) will be taken to the 1st floor circulation services desk to let them call someone to either join them at the Library or pick them up.
- While a staff member will not prevent the child(ren) from leaving the Library unaccompanied, the child(ren)will not be required to leave until accompanied by an adult.
November, 2006 - Approved by Library Services Committee
May, 2007 - Approved by Academic Affairs
