Unattended Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy

The Cuyahoga Falls Library encourages children and vulnerable adults to use its facilities and services. The Library also encourages parents, guardians, teachers, custodians, and caregivers to use the Library with their children and vulnerable adults.

The Library prioritizes the safety of all those using and working in the Library, including children and vulnerable adults. However, Library staff cannot act in place of parents or caregivers (in loco parentis). The responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children or vulnerable adults during their Library visits rests with the parent(s)/guardian(s) or caregiver(s) and not Library staff.

The Library will adhere to the following guidelines regarding the safety and supervision of children and vulnerable adults:

• Children and vulnerable adults who are too young or otherwise unable/unwilling to care for themselves, at the discretion of Library staff, may not be left alone in the Library and must have adequate supervision while in the Library.
• Children and vulnerable adults who are old enough and able/willing to care for themselves and who can understand and follow the Library’s Code of Conduct may be in the Library unattended.
• Unattended children and vulnerable adults should be able to provide contact information for a parent, guardian, or caregiver who can assist them in the event of an emergency.

Library staff will determine who may not be left alone and must have adequate supervision while on Library property based on observed behaviors of the individuals and other relevant information.

Library staff may attempt to contact a parent, guardian, or caregiver of an unattended child or vulnerable adult in circumstances such as, but not limited to, the following:

• The health or safety of the individual is in doubt.
• The individual becomes frightened while alone at the Library.
• The individual’s behavior is disruptive to other Library patrons or prohibits staff from conducting Library business.
• The individual does not have transportation from the Library.

If a parent, guardian, or caregiver cannot be reached, Library staff may contact law enforcement officials to take charge of the situation involving the unattended child or vulnerable adult.

Unattended children, including teens, and vulnerable adults who do not abide by the Library’s Code of Conduct may be instructed to leave Library property at the discretion of Library staff. Failure to leave when instructed is considered trespassing, and Cuyahoga Falls Police may be called. 

Any person not able to travel alone must be picked up prior to the closing of the Library. If a child or vulnerable adult is alone at closing time and a parent, guardian, or caregiver cannot be contacted, the Cuyahoga Falls Police will be called. Library staff are not permitted to transport children or vulnerable adults away from Library facilities. Staff will post a note on the entrance door stating, “Unattended child/person is in the custody of the Cuyahoga Falls Police.” Names will not be stated on the sign.

Approved by the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees, November 18, 2025