A vulnerable adult is an individual over the age of 18 who is mentally or physically challenged to a degree that significantly impairs the individual’s ability to provide adequately for his/her own care or manage his/her own behavior without assistance, cannot reasonably care for himself/herself in an emergency situation, or who needs help beyond assistance with normal library services.
The New City Library strives to provide a warm, welcoming and safe environment conducive to lifelong learning for patrons of all ages. The Library is particularly concerned for the safety of vulnerable adults in and around the Library.
A parent/guardian or caregiver 18 years of age or older must be responsible for monitoring the activities and managing the behavior of vulnerable adults during their Library visits. The Library assumes no responsibility for vulnerable adults left unattended on the Library premises. Staff members are responsible for assisting all Library customers and cannot adequately monitor unattended vulnerable adults.
The Library will adhere to the following guidelines concerning the care and behavior of vulnerable adults:
- Vulnerable adults, who can understand and follow the rules of conduct and who can care for themselves, are welcome to be in the Library unattended. Vulnerable adults will be expected to follow the rules of conduct as outlined in the Library’s Patron Code of Conduct. For their safety they should have contact information for a parent/guardian or caregiver who can assist them in an emergency.
- Vulnerable adults who are unable or unwilling to care for themselves must be attended and have adequate supervision at all times.
- If a situation arises with a vulnerable adult, which may include illness, anxiety, unacceptable behavior, emergency closing or lack of transportation after regular closing, library staff may attempt to contact the parent, guardian or caregiver. The Clarkstown Police Department may be contacted if attempts to reach a caregiver are unsuccessful. Under no circumstances may a library staff member drive a vulnerable adult to any location.