PURPOSE:
OPL welcomes supervised children and vulnerable persons in OPL facilities. Parents, legal guardians, caregivers, or assigned chaperones are responsible for properly attending to children and vulnerable persons in their care. These individuals ensure the safety and appropriate behavior of their children and vulnerable persons while using OPL facilities.
DEFINITION:
As used in this policy, “children” or “child” shall mean a person under the age of eleven (11).
“Minor” shall mean a person under the age of nineteen (19).
“Vulnerable Person” shall mean a person who is, because of a mental or physical impairment, unable to protect themself from abuse or exploitation by others or comprehend or comply with the Library's Code of Conduct.
POLICY:
Children and vulnerable persons must not be left unattended in or on OPL premises. The responsible party must remain within sight of the individual. If an individual is attending an OPL-sponsored event, the responsible party must remain in the building.
Minors age eleven (11) and older and vulnerable persons who can understand and follow the OPL Code of Conduct are welcome to be in the library unattended if they have contact information for a responsible adult or older teen who will be available to provide assistance if needed.
Minors and vulnerable persons are not to remain at the library after closing. If a minor or vulnerable person is left alone in the library at closing or if a library closes because of an emergency, library staff will attempt to contact a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver. If a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver cannot be contacted or the child or vulnerable person is not picked up within 15 minutes after closing, library staff will call law enforcement, who will assume responsibility for the individual.
IMPLEMENTATION:
OPL and security personnel are responsible for enforcing this policy. Parents, a responsible party, or the appropriate authorities may be contacted if any child or vulnerable person is left unattended in or on OPL premises
Approved by the Board of Trustees
of the Omaha Public Library
August 20, 2025
Download a PDF of this policy