Unattended Children Policy

Unattended Children Policy

The Grundy Foundation strives to make the Grundy Library and Museum a welcoming place for all to enjoy. Adults, teens, and children are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in our  Behavior Policy. This policy, which is available on our websites, lists the rules and regulations that all must follow.


Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the conduct of their minor children in the library, museum, and on all Foundation property, regardless of whether they are accompanying their children or not. Anyone not following the Behavior Policy will be asked to leave the library or museum. Children are given the opportunity to call home before leaving. Leaving the library and/or museum includes both of those buildings, the park area and all Grundy Foundation property.


Unattended Children in the Library

The Grundy Library is a free library that is open to the public. It is not safe to leave children unattended in any public building. The library staff have many duties and cannot supervise or assume responsibility for the safety of children left unattended. The library cannot be used as a substitute for daycare or afterschool care.
Specific guidelines are dependent on age as outlined below. For the purpose of this policy, a caregiver is an individual aged 13 or older who is assuming responsibility for a younger child with the permission of the child’s parent or guardian. This may include siblings, babysitters, or teachers.

  • Children under the age of 7 years – Must remain within sight distance of an attending parent/guardian or caregiver at all times and may never be left alone in the library, even for a short period of time.
  • Children ages 7, 8, or 9 years – Parent or caregiver must be somewhere in the library at all times, but the child need not be in the immediate presence of the attending person.
  • Children age 10 years and older – May use the library unattended and are expected to follow the Behavior Policy as required for all library visitors.

Library staff cannot assume responsibility for children left after closing. If a parent or guardian cannot be contacted after trying for 15 minutes, Bristol Borough police will be called and the child will be placed in their care.


Unattended Children in the Museum

The Grundy Museum is an historic house museum with a rich collection of fine furnishings and valuable heirlooms. While tours are free, advance reservations are required.
All children under the age of eighteen (18) years must be accompanied by a chaperone age eighteen (18) years or older.


Unattended Children on the Foundation Campus

The Foundation welcomes the community to enjoy its campus, which includes gardens, lawns, and other outdoor spaces.
All children under the age of 10 must remain within sight distance of an attending chaperone age eighteen (18) years or older.


As a private foundation, the Grundy Board of Trustees reserves the right to change this Policy without notice, and has unfettered discretion to deny any individual or organization access to the Library and Museum buildings, premises, materials, events or programs if it is in the best interests of the Foundation to do so.