The Manatee County Public Library System welcomes library use by children and their caregivers; we seek to provide a welcoming and appropriate environment. Professionally trained staff are available to help with research for homework and projects as well as to help locate materials. Library staff do not provide long or short-term childcare. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the Library rests with the parent, legal guardian, or caregiver.
- Children ages 11 and under must be accompanied by someone 16 years of age or older (with parental emergency contact information) in all Library facilities, including in Children's Rooms, Makerspaces and Studios, and during computer use and library programs.
- When a child 11 or under is found unattended, a staff member will attempt to locate the child's parent or caregiver in the library building or contact the parent/caregiver by phone.
- If a parent/caregiver cannot be located, law enforcement will be called.
- Children ages 12 and older may be in the library unsupervised, during hours that school is not in session.
