An automated external defibrillator (AED) and Opioid Rescue Kit have been installed inside the library. Although helpful, library staff are not trained in or expected to know how to use the AED or Opioid Rescue Kit. Library staff are not trained to treat injuries or administer first aid. In the event of an injured individual, the library staff will contact emergency services to respond to all medical emergencies.

In case of a fire alarm, it is important to know in advance what to do. The Library Board and staff urge each person who uses the library to familiarize themselves with the location of all exits and fire extinguishers which are clearly labeled with signage. Library staff are not responsible for conducting a search and rescue in case of a fire. Once patrons and staff leave the building, they are not permitted to reenter until cleared by emergency personnel.

If you see a fire, even a small one, pull the fire alarm. Fire alarm pulls are positioned by all exit doors and are meant to be used on your way out of the building. Once outside the building, staff are instructed to meet in the far corner of the public parking lot. Staff will escort any unattended children to this location.

For non-fire evacuations of the building (e.g. power outages) Library staff will announce that everyone is to evacuate the building.

The Huntington Public Library welcomes and encourages children to visit the library, use library resources and services, and attend library programs. Staff members are available to help and support children; however, the library is not able to provide short- or long-term childcare or be responsible for unattended children. The library is not responsible if children leave library property unattended.

A. Patron Expectations

Parents/caregivers are responsible for the safety and well-being of their children on Library property. The library expects parents/caregivers to:

1. Accompany any child under the age of eight (8).
   1. Have an actively engaged parent/caregiver of at least 14 years of age in the immediate vicinity of and in visual contact with a child under the age of eight (8).
   2. Ensure that the assigned caregiver of a child under the age of eight (8) has emergency contact information for the child.
2. Accompany any school-age child between the ages of eight (8) and 17 during regular school hours or ensure that the homeschooled child is able to provide proof of homeschool status.
3. Ensure that unaccompanied children ages eight (8) and older are able to abide by Library policies, including the Behavior Policy.
4. Ensure that unaccompanied children ages eight (8) and older have emergency contact information and are able to independently share that information with staff when requested.
5. Ensure that unaccompanied children ages eight (8) and older are able to leave the library independently when instructed to leave by Library staff or at closing time.

B. Contact Procedure

Library staff will attempt to contact a parent, guardian, and/or caregiver in circumstances such as the following:

• An unattended child is engaging in behavior that is disruptive to other library users, staff, or the normal operations of library business (see Behavior Policy).
• An unattended child is involved in a situation that is potentially harmful to the health or safety of the child and/or others.
• An unattended child is present at the library at closing time.

1. Such situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If parents, guardians, and/or caregivers cannot be reached, or are unresponsive, library staff will contact the Huntington Police Department.

1. The Board of Trustees is committed to providing an atmosphere where people of all ages may come to read, browse, do research, or study. This policy does not prohibit quiet conversation between patrons and/or staff members or conversations required to carry on library programs or business. It is designed to preserve a reasonably quiet atmosphere where library patrons may use library services and materials without disturbance.
2. Inappropriate behavior includes any activity that disturbs others, interferes with library operations, damages the building or its furnishings, as well as rudeness, profanity, or any other behavior generally considered unacceptable in a public place.
3. This policy has been established for all patrons. If a patron is not responsive to the needs of other library users or disregards the policies protecting patrons, staff, and library property, the patron will be asked to leave the library.

1. The rights of individuals to use the library should not be abridged or denied. To guarantee these rights for all persons, no library patron shall engage in the following prohibited behaviors:
2. • The library is a smoke-free zone. Smoking is prohibited throughout the facility.
   • Annoy, intimidate or bully another person. Damage or deface public property. Engage in loud, boisterous or obscene behavior.
   • Utter profane, obscene, or offensive language.
   • Be in a state of intoxication that causes a public disturbance.
   • Enter or remain in the library without a shirt or shoes.
   • Loiter on the premises under circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety or health of any person or property in the vicinity.
   • Remain in the building after its regular closing hours.
3. Only persons on library business will be allowed to solicit for the sale of goods and services in the library. Salespersons may meet with authorized library personnel only. Exceptions may be made for library-sponsored activities and organizations affiliated with the library upon board approval.
4. Surveying of groups or individuals may only be done in conjunction with output measures or other similar surveys designed to quantify library use or satisfaction with library services.
5. It is a charge of the library staff to see that the rights of individuals to use of the Library are upheld. The staff is obligated to enforce these guidelines so that the facility can be used to the fullest by all persons. Questions regarding the interpretation of these guidelines will be referred to the Library Director or other staff member in charge.

1. It is patron's responsibility to maintain necessary and proper behavior standards in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons.
2. Occasionally, staff members may have to deal with patrons who violate the rights of others or who create a disturbance in the library. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be asked to leave the library. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being directed to do so by staff, will be subject to the law.
3. A brief written report of any incident involving theft, vandalism, illegal activity, or major disruptive behavior will be filed with the Director as soon as possible after its occurrence.

1. One of the primary missions of the Library is to provide a variety of services for children of all ages. The library encourages visits by young children, and it is our desire to make these visits both memorable and enjoyable for the child.
2. "Unattended" means that the parent or designated person is not in close proximity to the child. Library staff cannot be expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library. Parents are responsible for their children's behavior while in the library.
3. Therefore, it is the policy of the Library that all children under the age of eight must be in the company of a parent/responsible person while in the library. Even if the young person is attending a program, it is required that the parent/responsible person remain in the library throughout the program.

1. Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, pleasure reading, and attending programs. The staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion.
2. Examples of disruptive behavior include running up and down the book stack aisles, unsupervised use of library equipment, pulling books from the shelves, encroachment into staff areas -- any behavior that interferes with other people's use of the library or that may damage library property.
3. Whether they are with their parents or not, children who are continually disruptive will be dealt with firmly. The child will be given a warning that he/she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library. If after a second warning the child continues to be disruptive, he/she will be asked to leave the library. If the child needs to contact a parent, he/she may do so and then wait until the parent arrives.