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Children in the Library Guidelines

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Children in the Library Guidelines

Background

Shellharbour City Libraries are committed to serving the information and recreation needs of young people. The library strives to provide a welcoming environment and provides targeted resources and programs to meet the needs of young people.


Library Services

The services provided to young people include:

  • children’s stories
  • discovery and learning resources
  • magazines
  • CDs
  • DVDs
  • computer, internet access and wi-fi
  • assistance from staff in accessing collections and information
  • homework help
  • digital resources including streaming services
  • literacy programs
  • diverse recreational and learning programs including school holiday programs
  • space for activities or study

 

Access to resources

Shellharbour City Libraries general collection may contain publications that have been classified ‘Unrestricted’ and films and computer games that have been classified ‘G’ (General), ‘PG’ (Parental Guidance) or ‘M’ (Mature) in accordance with the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth). This material is available to all persons, including young persons, without restriction.

Shellharbour City Libraries also offer access to films via streaming services, which may include films that have been classified ‘MA’ and ‘R’. Members under the age of 18 are not permitted to access films with an ‘R’ rating, and members under the age of 15 may only access films rated ‘MA’ with the consent of their parent or guardian.

Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their child’s selection and use of materials in the library’s general collection accords with any restrictions the family may wish to set. Shellharbour City Libraries encourages parents/guardians to consult with their child to develop clear rules regarding access to resources that accord with the family’s personal values and beliefs.

The library promotes and supports young people’s access to information, including electronic information through its internet facilities. library staff are available to assist young people in the use of the Internet, and to recommend websites on various subjects. A number of appropriate resources are included in Shellharbour’s digital library.

 

Unattended children

Unsupervised children can be at risk in any public place, including public libraries. Shellharbour City Libraries staff do not specifically supervise children in the library, and there is a risk that unattended children may leave the library at any time, hurt themselves, or be approached by strangers.

Children left unattended in a public library may be classed as a child or young person at risk of harm under section 23 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) and may be reported as such to the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice. Parents who leave a child unattended in a public library are exposing their child to potential harm, and may be committing an offence under section 228 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW).

Young children left alone in a library can become distressed, bored or disruptive. Young people who disturb other library users may be removed from the library under clause 17 of the Library Regulation 2018 (NSW).


Working with children checks

All Shellharbour City Libraries staff are required to have a current Working with Children Check.

 

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