The Minors in the Paul Meek Library Building Policy provides guidelines and rules for individuals 12 years of age and under (children) and their parent or caregiver (18 years of age or older) in the Paul Meek Library building and is approved by the University of Tennessee at Martin's Chancellor's Cabinet.
Minors in the Paul Meek Library Building Policy
- Individuals 12 and under (children) must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or caregiver, age 18 or older. Children must be in the immediate vicinity and in visual contact with a parent or caregiver.
- The primary goal is to keep children safe. The Paul Meek Library is a large building with public access. A child who is left unattended could possibly be enticed to leave with a stranger, become lost in the building, or engage in behavior that may cause injury. The computers do not have filtering software and children may be able to access materials that parents or caregivers may not consider age appropriate.
The following procedures will be followed if a child is alone in the library building:
- The child will be asked if an adult is with them. If the child indicates that they have an adult with them they will be asked where the adult is and will be accompanied to join the adult.
- If the child says there is no adult with them, they will be told that they cannot be in the library without an adult. The child will be taken to the Main Circulation Desk. A member of the library staff will call the child’s parent to either join the child or pick them up. Every effort to contact the parent will be made before contacting the Department of Public Safety.
- If a parent or caregiver cannot be contacted the Department of Public Safety will be contacted and the child will be placed in their care.
Last revised: 10/07/2024
