Information for Parents of BMS and BHS Students who Visit the Library After School

The Teen Room at the library opened in May of 2016 and in the after school hours since, we've had 30-50 seventh through twelfth graders visiting the space daily.

We have a variety of programs for middle and high school students and we suggest you check our online event calendar for details of those events.

Parking Lot Safety

We have noticed that children leaving the library building often do so without exercising proper caution in the parking lot, both on foot and on bicycles. When we witness it, we make clear to them that cars are coming and going from the lot and they need to be more cautious. However, library staff does not routinely supervise the outside of the library building.

Occasionally, we have had issues with children disrespecting library property by climbing trees, going into staff only area and congregating in the parking lot, which impedes automobile and patron access by them playing or just standing around in groups. This is simply unsafe.   We ask that you aid us in informing your children that the parking lot is not a congregating or recreation area. If your child is NOT using library services, we ask that they not loiter on library property.

After School Parking Pickup Notice

For the safety of all library patrons we ask that parents who are picking up children from our afterschool program park either in the overflow lot at the far end of the library lot or on the field access road. Parking spaces in front of the building are reserved for patrons that are in the library.

Parking, stopping or standing in front of the cartwheel girl statue waiting for your child to exit the library is not permitted.  When cars line up in front of the statue waiting for their child to exit the library it creates problems with people entering and exiting the library lot, as well as visibility issue for the people walking in the parking lot.

Supervision & Attendance

Read the full text of the library policy on Children in the Library.

Read the full text of our Behavior Policy.

It is most important that parents understand that the library does not act "in loco parentis". Permitting your child to come to the library after school unattended is akin to dropping them off at the mall. Library policy states: "The library does not assume responsibility for the behavior or safety of children of any age who are left unaccompanied in the library. This includes watching children while parents participate in library programs or other activities in the library."

The policy also states: "Children who violate the behavior policy will be informed of the rules. If the behavior continues, the child shall be asked to leave the library. Staff members are not obligated to contact a parent or guardian if the minor child is asked to leave the library property for violation of the behavior policy."

When you register your child for a library program, it is up to you to ensure they attend. We do not verify that those who are registered choose to attend.

Keeping in Touch with Your Child

We often receive phone calls from parents inquiring if their child is at the library or wishing to speak with their child. We are unable to search the building to locate a child or permit our phones to be used by the public, except in cases of emergencies. We ask that you coordinate details with your child so that they are able to contact you, and vice versa.

You should be aware that the cell signal in many areas of the library is not consistent and calls are often not able to be made or received inside the building. The best way to communicate with your child may be through a service that uses Wi-Fi as our Wi-Fi signal is active throughout the building.

We also have a constant issue with children asking to use the phone to call to be picked up. Our telephone lines are needed for library business, so we ask that you plan in advance a time for pickup, or arrange for your child to have access to a phone. From now on, we will only be calling a parent/guardian one time in a 3-month period, unless it is an emergency situation.

Library Cards

Often children come to the library without their library cards. We ask that if your child will need to use the library computers or check out library materials that they carry their card with them. Library staff has the authority to refuse lending library materials without proper identification.

Library Spaces

Teen Room

The Teen Room is open and we encourage all 7th to 12th graders to spend their after-school hours in that area. 

Community Room

ASK (After School Kids) is our after school program for 4th to 6th graders and takes place in this room. *Any 4th through 6th graders who are not attending the ASK program are not permitted to be in the library without a responsible adult also in the building with them. 

Study Room

The Study Room is available for individual high school students (grades 8-12) and for groups of up to four people, as long as the person who signs out the room is over 18 and one of the participants. The Study Room may be used for group or quiet study for up to one hour (longer if no one is waiting to use the room). The room is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and users must sign in at the circulation desk to use the room. Food and drink is allowed in the room, but all trash must be removed from the room and the room must be left in good condition when vacated. It is the responsibility of the person signing out the room to make sure it is in good condition before leaving.