Children In the Library Policy

Arranging childcare is the personal responsibility of students who have children. Students are not authorized to bring children to a Mercer facility for extended periods of time. Frequent or lengthy visits of children are not permitted, as they may create disruptions and distractions and present a liability to the University for their safety. A child under 16 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian. Unaccompanied children will be reported to the Mercer Police.

Mercer University Libraries offers an adult, unsupervised environment for the purpose of academic research and support of the University’s curriculum. The Libraries’ collections and services are not designed to meet the needs of younger students or children. Within the libraries, there are areas that are potentially hazardous.

The Libraries do not assume responsibility for the safety of children left unattended. Parents or guardians are ultimately responsible for the safety and activities of children. Parents or guardians may not bring children to the libraries and then leave them unattended in the building. Parents or guardians must be in the same immediate area as their children and monitor their behavior at all times. Parents or guardians are responsible for any act of vandalism (cutting, tearing, defacing, or destroying books, periodicals, equipment, furniture, or facility) committed by their child.

Library staff members cannot assist in supervising the actions of children in Mercer University Libraries. If a child is observed unaccompanied or is in violation of any library policy, staff will immediately notify Mercer University Police.