The Medford Public Library welcomes children and strives to provide a positive atmosphere for them. We welcome children and want them to

• Learn from an abundance of stimulating library resources
• Fully experience the library without interfering with other patrons
• Feel safe in a public building

Young children left alone while at the library, even for a short time, often become frightened or anxious. Older children can become bored and disruptive when left alone in the library in lieu of appropriate afterschool care. The library is a public building and the staff cannot be held responsible for the safety of an unattended child, even for short periods of time. Please safeguard your children by ensuring that they are properly supervised and by following the policies outlined below:

• While in the library, children under the age of ten shall at all times be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible adult
• Children under the age of ten attending a library program must be brought into the building by a responsible adult who shall remain in the building (or, in some cases, the program space) until the conclusion of the program when they, again, resume supervision of their child
• Children who are 10 years of age or older may be unaccompanied but, as always, must obey the library’s rules of conduct. Failure to do so can result in expulsion from the building.
• Parents, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior management of their children. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. The library, as a public building, strives to serve the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
• The library is not an appropriate daycare alternative. Children of any age are not to be left in the building for this purpose.
• Violations of this policy may result in the suspension of library privileges.