Trustees for the Town of Southborough Library on Feb. 19 debated language for a child-safety policy that would clarify how staff should respond when an unaccompanied child is left at the library.

Library Director Ryan said he had received feedback from library leadership and the police chief and proposed adding a contact person and a contingency about notification of police if a child’s parent or guardian cannot be located. “If the child's parent or guardian cannot be located within 15 minutes, the library staff has the option to contact the police department to follow-up,” Ryan said while summarizing the chief’s recommendation.

Ryan told trustees he favored wording that left discretion to staff: “I kinda like that because that leaves it open depending on what staff” encounter, he said. Several trustees endorsed circulating specific wording to the town attorney for legal review before finalizing the policy.

Trustee Amy expressed hesitation about including police notification as a routine step, calling it “a very extreme step” that should be reserved for circumstances that clearly warrant it. Trustee Mary and others said posting the finalized policy in public areas of the library — in particular the children's room — would reduce confusion and make expectations clear to patrons.

Trustee David and others noted the library already works with Youth and Family Services for complex cases involving adults and vulnerable patrons and that staff could refer cases to that department as appropriate. Ryan said he would bring revised language to town counsel during the office hours the following week and circulate a draft to trustees between meetings.

The trustees asked that Kim Regan, the children’s librarian, be invited to the next meeting for final discussion. Ryan also said he would incorporate suggested edits such as naming a contact person for patron questions and noting potential expense/assumption of liability language requested by Vanessa (a staff member who reviewed the draft).

Next steps: Ryan will circulate revised draft policy language, solicit comment from the town attorney, and schedule Kim Regan to join the trustees when they consider a final vote.