Adopted by Administration and the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library - 10/28/2021
This policy applies to all Lake County Public Library (LCPL) buildings and offsite events.
Child: Individual who is less than 18 years of age
Vulnerable Adult: Individual aged 18 or over whose ability to protect themself from violence, abuse or neglect is significantly impaired through physical or mental disability, illness, advanced age or otherwise
Staff: Employees of the Library who have contact with children and vulnerable adults in connection with their work duties
Volunteer: Individuals who have regular contact with children and vulnerable adults in connection with their volunteer activities at the Library
LCPL seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for children and vulnerable adults who visit the Library or are involved in Library programs and activities. The Library’s goal is to protect youth from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior while also protecting staff and volunteers from false accusations.
LCPL encourages and welcomes children and vulnerable adults of all ages to use its facilities and services and to participate in its programs and activities. However, responsibility for the safety and behavior of children and vulnerable adults while at the Library rests solely with the parent, guardian or authorized caregiver and not with Library staff or volunteers. The following policies apply with respect to children and vulnerable adults on Library premises:
The following policies apply with respect to interaction with children or vulnerable adults by Library staff and volunteers:
Staff and volunteers shall not accept or assume the responsibility for monitoring or supervising the safety and behavior of children or vulnerable adults on Library premises.
Indiana Code (IC 31-33-5) requires that any individual who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect must immediately report such directly to the Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”) or to a local law enforcement agency. This mandatory reporting requirement includes reporting child abuse, including any sex offense against a child, committed by any Library Staff or Volunteers while on Library premises or while attending an offsite Library event. The following reporting procedures apply if a Library employee or volunteer has reason to believe that an act of child abuse or neglect has occurred, by any person, including any Library employee or volunteer:
The same reporting procedure should be followed for any suspected acts of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults as stated with children with the exception of notifying the Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”).
All Library staff and volunteers will be trained regarding youth protection issues. Such training for Staff and volunteers shall involve a review of the Library’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy and Indiana’s mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting requirements.
