EPL is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for children participating in Library programs, services, and activities. EPL maintains zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, or boundary violations involving children and will promptly address any related allegations connected to Library employment or activities. All employees, Board members, and authorized volunteers are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and respond promptly to safety concerns involving children.
Definitions
- Child/Children: Any person under the age of eighteen (18) years.
- Child Abuse & Neglect: As defined by the Ohio Revised Code, including, but not limited, to physical abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation, emotional or mental injury, neglect, or endangerment.
Background Check Requirement
- All EPL employees are required to complete BCI and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background checks as a condition of employment. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.
Supervision of Children
- While EPL strives to provide a safe and supportive environment, the Library does not assume responsibility for supervising children or acting in place of a parent or caregiver.
Parent/Caregiver Responsibility
- Parents and caregivers are responsible for their children’s behavior and well-being while in the Library. The level of supervision should reflect each child’s age, maturity, and ability to remain safe and follow Library expectations independently.
Staff Response to Safety Concerns
- If a child is left unattended and behaves in a way that may pose a safety concern, staff will take reasonable steps to ensure a child’s well-being. This may include locating a parent or caregiver and, if necessary, contacting appropriate authorities.
Library Liability
- EPL is not responsible for injuries, incidents, or accidents involving children, including during structured or staff-supervised programs. Staff follow safety procedures to reduce risk but cannot prevent all incidents.
Program Safety & Staffing
EPL strives to provide a safe and observable environment for children participating in library programs.
- Whenever practicable, two employees should be present during organized children’s programs.
- When only one employee is assigned, activities should take place in open and observable areas whenever practicable (e.g., doors open, windowed rooms, or visible public spaces).
- Programs with physical activity, experiments, or specialized materials must maintain appropriate staffing levels to monitor safety.
- Staff are expected to follow established safety guidelines, maintain visibility, and document incidents, but EPL cannot guarantee the prevention of accidents or injuries.
Professional Boundaries
- Employees must maintain professional boundaries with children at all times.
- One-on-one interactions may occur in the normal course of library services, but employees must remain observable and maintain appropriate boundaries.
- Employees shall not engage in private, unsupervised relationships with children they meet through library programs or services.
- This may include, but is not limited to, babysitting, tutoring, or social engagements outside of their library role.
- Employees shall not initiate, exchange, or accept any personal contact information or social media connections with children encountered through library programs or services.
- All communication with children must be professional and appropriate in any format, consistent with this policy.
Reporting Suspected Abuse or Safety Concerns
Library employees are generally not considered mandated reporters under Ohio law. However, EPL expects employees, Board members, and authorized volunteers to promptly report any reasonable suspicion of abuse, neglect, or safety concerns involving a child in accordance with this policy.
If you suspect abuse or a safety concern involving a child:
- Immediately notify your manager or the Library Director.
- Document the incident according to Library procedures.
- Follow management direction regarding next steps.
Library Investigation & Response
- The Library will respond promptly to reports involving the safety or well-being of a child and, when appropriate, will cooperate with law enforcement or child protective services in accordance with applicable law.
- The parent or guardian of the child will be notified as appropriate.
- An employee alleged to have engaged in misconduct involving a child will be placed on administrative leave pending investigation and may be restricted from Library premises.
- The Library Director or designee will serve as the Library’s official spokesperson and will seek legal counsel before releasing information about any incident.
Medications & Medical Emergencies
- EPL employees do not administer prescription or non-prescription medications to children.
- Medication needs must be managed by a parent or guardian.
- In the event of a medical emergency, employees will contact emergency services and notify a parent or guardian as appropriate.
Children’s Behavior & Staff Response
EPL staff focus on addressing behavior concerns in a way that maintains a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Staff Response:
- Corporal punishment is never permitted.
- Staff shall not physically remove a child from Library property unless necessary to prevent immediate harm to the child or others.
- When needed, staff will seek assistance from a parent, guardian, or law enforcement.
Accidents and Reporting
Minor Injuries: Employees may provide basic first aid (e.g., bandages or ice packs) and notify parents or guardians as appropriate.
Basic First Aid: Simple, non-invasive care such as applying bandages or ice packs. Employees are not expected to provide medical treatment beyond these measures.
Serious Injuries: Immediately notify a manager, contact emergency services if needed, notify parents or guardians, and complete an incident report.
Training
Initial Training: All employees, Board members, and volunteers are subject to this policy and shall receive training.
Ongoing Training: Opportunities for additional training classes or events may be offered to maintain awareness of child safety best practices.
Retaliation
EPL prohibits retaliation against any employee who reports a concern involving the safety or well-being of a child in good faith or participates in an investigation under this policy.
Appoved by the Elyria Public Library Board of Trustees, May 2026