Children in the Library

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library is dedicated to providing an accessible, inclusive, comfortable and welcoming environment in which all citizens may meet and interact. KFPL encourages children to use and enjoy the library's facilities and services.

However, staff cannot care for, nor take responsibility for, children who are left alone in the library. The safety of any unattended child in the library is a serious concern. Responsibility for the behaviour and well-being of any child who uses the library rests with the parent (or with the guardian/caregiver assigned by the parent). 

If a child is found unattended in the library, either during hours of operation or at closing time, KFPL staff may call law enforcement personnel to care for that child. Library staff members are obligated by the Ontario Child and Family Services Act to call the police or Children's Aid Society if a child is in need of protection.

If a particular child has been left unattended on previous occasions, and the parent/caregiver has already been informed of the library's policy on unattended children, the child may be asked to leave the library for an extended period of time as deemed appropriate by a library manager.

Visiting the Library

  • In all parts of the library, children 7 years of age and under must be in the immediate vicinity of a parent/caregiver.
  • Children 7 to 9 years old must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver who will remain in the library throughout the visit.
  • The assigned caregiver must be at least 12 years old, capable of providing an acceptable standard of care for themselves and others, and carry emergency contact information.

Library programming

During drop-in and ticketed programs, parents/caregivers of children under the age of 7 must remain in the program space; parents/caregivers of children ages 7-9 must remain in the library throughout the program and must return to the program