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Customer Protection and Awareness Policy
The Queens Public Library makes every effort to provide an environment that is welcoming and encouraging to children and adults, while they visit and use Library resources and programs. We believe that every child and adult, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race or any other protected classifications under local, state or federal law, disability, sexuality, religion, has the right to feel safe and protected from situations or practices which might cause him or her harm.
We believe and support that employees and volunteers have the right to be treated appropriately and are expected to treat others appropriately. The Library will make every reasonable effort to protect customers from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior and also protect employees and volunteers from false accusations by implementing careful screening and selection of employees and planning of space, activities, events and training.
Screening and Selecting Employees
The Queens Public Library carefully selects employees by following appropriate recruiting and selection procedures including, but not limited to, written applications, personal interviews, reference checks, education verifications, and comprehensive criminal background checks. Credit checks, motor vehicle record checks and fingerprinting of applicants may be required, where appropriate. By conducting comprehensive recruitment and selection procedures the Library makes every reasonable effort to ensure suitability of applicants.
Guidelines on Interactions between Individuals
The Queens Public Library makes every reasonable effort to ensure the safety of customers of all ages in their interactions with employees and volunteers and with each other. Library activities shall not require physical contact with children as a normal course of business, as physical contact with a child may be misconstrued and must be avoided and discouraged both on library premises and off. Any library sponsored programs held off premises, or non-library communications with minors or vulnerable adults, must be reviewed and pre-approved by the Chief Operating Officer.
Employee Awareness
The Queens Public Library makes every reasonable effort to prevent, recognize, and respond to inappropriate and harmful behaviors and to reinforce appropriate behaviors. Employees are encouraged to walk through the library facility frequently throughout the day to monitor general activity within the facility, especially in areas designated for children. Volunteers shall not be permitted to work with children unless supervised by a library employee. Any adult, in an area designated for children who is not accompanied by a child, shall be engaged in a conversation by an employee offering assistance.
Safe Environments
The Library makes every reasonable effort to provide a safe and secure environment for the public by planning and developing spaces that are open and visible. If an employee has concerns with physical space and child protection strategies the concern shall be brought to the attention of his or her supervisor. The supervisor shall follow-up with the Risk Management Office who shall work towards finding a solution.
Library Response
Although the Library is not a mandatory reporter of child abuse, the Library will respond to reports of inappropriate behavior, breaches in policy and allegations of child abuse by asking employees to communicate concerns immediately and accurately to a supervisor. If a child indicates that they have suffered some form of abuse, or an employee witnesses an incident, the employee shall immediately place a call to 911 for direction, make a follow-up call to Logistics & Security Management (LSM) and prepare an incident report. It is important that all employees communicate concerns promptly and accurately to their immediate supervisor and never independently investigate suspicions or allegations of abuse.
Training
Queens Public Library will provide training and resources to employees and volunteers in order to provide quality customer service for customers of all ages, recognize potential opportunities for abuse and model appropriate boundaries of physical and virtual space. In addition, all employees and volunteers must read and understand the Library’s customer protection and public awareness policy.