Unattended Children Policy

Rentschler Library provides an environment for research and scholarship in support of the academic programs of Miami University. Although this environment is not intended for children, they are welcome to visit the library as long as they are accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver and under appropriate supervision.

Rentschler Library is open to the public, a situation that can present risks to children. For the safety and security of children and in consideration of other patrons using the library, the following policy has been established:

• A parent or adult caregiver must accompany and supervise children under the age of 16 who are not enrolled in a Miami University Hamilton program.
• The safety and security of children in the library are the responsibility of the parent or adult caregiver. The library cannot assume responsibility for the safety of children left unattended.
• If an unattended child comes to the attention of library personnel, staff will try to locate a parent or caregiver in the library. If the adult responsible for the child’s welfare is not present, a staff member will ask the child to leave. If the child is too young to safely leave unescorted, staff will contact Campus Security to report the situation and seek assistance.
• Parents and adult caregivers are responsible for the conduct of the children under their supervision and must monitor their activities and behavior while they are in the library. The staff person in charge will request that the parent or caregiver remove a child from the library if the library’s “User Behavior Policy” is not adhered to.
• Children age 16 or over may use the library unattended after a parent or guardian has visited the library to fill out a “Library Use” form authorizing the child to come to the library unsupervised and confirming receipt of a copy of the library’s “User Behavior Policy.”