Is it OK to leave your young children alone at the library?
@desertdarlene (8910)
United States
November 9, 2006 2:06pm CST
What's a good age to let them visit there on their own?
I work for a public library system and, at some branches, there are a lot of unnattended young children. Often they are there for hours, past lunch and dinner time.
By young, I mean elementary school age. Some of these youngsters are supervised by an older sibling, who is often only a couple of years older and still in elementary school themselves.
What do you think?
1 person likes this
28 responses
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
9 Nov 06
I agree, I didn't start visiting a library alone until I was 13.
Thanks for responding.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Nov 06
maybe they go there so they won't have to be alone after school or something i think i would rather have my kid there and reading a book or to then out on the streets getting into god knows what else. Maybe there mother cannot afford a baby sitter yes i'm aware that the library is not a baby sitter either but it is safer then being home alone or in the streets waiting for mom or dad to get home.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
17 Nov 06
Yes, all that may be true and I can understand why someone would think that. But, pedophiles are just as likely to be there, also. This one little girl told me a story about something that happened to her that made me think that someone was going to hurt her one day because her judgement was not developed. I was a little worried about her. She didn't have a clue that what that person did was totally wrong. She thought it was funny.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
17 Nov 06
Also, I wanted to say that if anyone thinks their kids are reading books at the library, they have a real eye opener. They often run in and out and go off with their friends. They also play cards, talk to their friends, and play on the computer. Some, though, are really there to study.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
17 Nov 06
I don't think kids of that age should be left alone anywhere even the library. Even if an older sibling is supervising, there are so many things a child of that age group may not be able to handle. We, as adults should be responsible. If I take my elementary school children to the library and my intention is for them to be independent...I'd drop them and wait in the car without breathing down their neck. they will be given a fixed time frame when I will pick them up. But I will be out there in case they need me.
I'm not sure what the stand of the parents who leave their kids in the library are...but I'm not one to do that. I think my kids will be allowed to use the library alone only after the age of 13...that too if I see that they are responsible enough to handle it. If not, I wouldn't allow them even at that age.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
17 Nov 06
It sounds like you have a good plan there. They have their independence but are still protected and supervised. That's god.
@sarah22 (3979)
• United States
26 Mar 07
15 and they know how to seek help if somone is bothering them. i would never leave my young kids in the care of there young siblings, you never know whats lerking around. i will always stay there with them if they need to get information from the library.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
26 Mar 07
I think that's great! I don't think slightly older siblings should be in charge, too.
@thatcrazyqbanita (3312)
• United States
12 Dec 06
I think its never okay. in this time and age, children should always be supervised no matter what. you never know what strangers will approach them, if they are left alone, you cannot help them
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
12 Dec 06
I agree. Some people seem to get the idea that the library staff will keep an eye on them. But, the staff's job is to serve all people that visit the library and have a lot of other things to do. Yes, we do try to keep an eye on them, especially in a small branch, but you just can't always watch them. We also don't know all of them very well and it is a public place. If they left with someone, we probably wouldn't know if they were supposed to leave with them or not.
I mean, would someone leave their child in a store or arcade in the same manner?
The girl in question doesn't seem to be staying at the library all day any more. Instead, she only comes some of the days and stays a few hours now. I wonder if someone finally convinced the mom to be a little more careful.
@Tweety2035 (662)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Now days it's hard to leave your kids alone anywhere even with people you know.
@ahalapia (942)
• United States
10 Nov 06
I also used to work at a library and I found it scary that so many parents would drop there children off and leave for hours at a time, I don't think that in this day and age it is safe to drop any child off in a public place. They assume that it's a library and it is safe, little do they know, they we get all sorts of people to, and our eyes can't be everywhere.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
10 Nov 06
I agree, I hear a lot of parents say that the library is a "safe" place to be. Staff can't watch the children as they have to attend to everyone and other things. All a predator has to do is have a friend ask us to show him/her where a book is and we would be totally distracted. Though, we try to keep an eye on things and protect children as much as possible.
Besides, I've seen a lot of kids spend about fifteen minutes at the library and once their friends get there, they're off outside the library.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
17 Nov 06
Thanks for responding.
I'm not saying that people shouldn't allow their kids to go to the library. They definately should. I just don't think parents should drop their kids off and just leave them there for hours, sometimes, and expect them to know how to handle everything. There's a reason why certain people pick out certain kids.
@Signal20 (2281)
• United States
17 Nov 06
You know, I honestly believe it depends on the maturity level of the kid. If the kid can grasp/understand not to leave the building, not to leave with anyone else, the whole stranger danger concept, and is there studying, getting books, etc. and not just hanging out/parents using the library as a daycare, then I think it's fine. I realize times have changed so much since I was a kid, but you have to let them do things.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
17 Nov 06
I agree. Kids coming in and doing their homework for a couple of hours while they wait for their parent to pick them up is fine. But, I don't think people should just drop their kids off at the library for 6 or 7 hours and not even check up on them. We have a day where the kids get out early and I've seen (though rare) kids there from the time we open until we close without anything to eat or do.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
17 Nov 06
Well, librarians can't supervise other people's children. It is a public place and anyone can go there. We also have to do our work and serve everyone, not just the children. It is really easy to distract staff.
I don't know of any city whose librarians supervise children who are alone. Yes, we try to protect them as much as we can, but we are not responsible for them.
@sharmilashan (267)
• India
17 Nov 06
Ok but if it is too late and if you think they will be alone them dont let.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
17 Nov 06
Our library actually has a policy not to leave kids under 12 alone after closing time unless we know that a parent will be by shortly to pick them up. If the parent is unable to be contacted, we will wait 15 minutes to a half an hour before we call the police.
A lot of libraries don't have this kind of policy.
@leilani47 (780)
• United States
17 Nov 06
I probably would if they're older. I would say about 12+ .. then again, I guess it all depends on the child.. if you feel comfortable leaving them alone..
@yarntales (639)
• United States
11 Dec 06
I would say 13 at least.
I am not sure that child protective services would think it was ok for those less than 12.
@chalmette69 (3007)
• United States
17 Nov 06
I think around 12 or 13, I mean there are lots of people there, it really depends on how well you can trust your child, I think it would be o.k. for an hour but I wouldn't leave them there to long.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
17 Nov 06
Not at out local library as one little girl was raped there just a couple of months ago while her mother was in the library so being alone I guess could be worse...sad how things are today.:(
@baysmummy (1637)
• Australia
17 Nov 06
wow that is so wrong there is no way i would allow my son to be anywhere by himself until he is atleast 12 or 13, There are so many "Bad" people out there even at libraries! I bet the parents work and tell their children to go to the library after school until they finish work!
@prettyblueyez06 (227)
• United States
17 Nov 06
I have a 9 year old. Although i havent left her at the library yet, I think i might for only a half hour or so.
@bwitchd80 (93)
• United States
17 Nov 06
i dont' think its ever okay to leave your children anywhere without supervision. too many bad people are in the world in today's day n age.
