Keeping our tamariki safe - Safety and supervision at our Libraries

We are aware of some recent incidents that have occurred outside our libraries, highlighting some unsafe behaviour involving children on bikes.

We are asking parents and caregivers to remind children of the importance of road safety around our facilities.

We would also like to take this opportunity to highlight our expectations to families and the community. Clutha District Libraries expectation is that children aged 12 and under are not left unattended. Children should be actively supervised by a caregiver when in our libraries, meaning that the caregiver must be able to see the child and provide immediate assistance.

We welcome and encourage all children to use the library, its resources, and to participate in programmes.

Our library staff are here to assist children in their use of the library and to support their reading and information needs. However, our staff do not have childcare training and cannot supervise children while they are in the library.

Unexpected situations and events can occur, from feeling unwell or injury, through to fire drills or evacuations, which may distress children that are on their own. Children left without supervision can become unsettled or behave in unacceptable, unsafe ways. When this happens, it adds to the workload of our staff.

All library visitors, including children, must treat other customers, staff, and property with respect and care. Failing to do this could result in being asked to leave the library.

To help promote the importance of bike safety, the Tapanui Community Library will be holding a bike and road safety session for kids on Wednesday, 8 April. Details will be available on our website soon.

If you have any questions about the supervision of children in our facilities, please get in touch with your local community library.

Thank you, from the Clutha District Libraries team.