MANKATO — The library in Mankato has updated its rules, aiming to better protect children, vulnerable adults and prevent disruptions.
“The library has seen a nearly 25% increase in visitors so far in 2024 and we expect this to continue,” Blue Earth County Library Director Kelly McBride told County Commissioners Tuesday.
She said the library has had a policy on children but is updating their policy to cover vulnerable adults and to keep adults out of the children’s wing unless they are the parent/guardian of a child they are with or are just coming in to get some children’s books and then leave the area.
“Adults (unaccompanied by a child) may use the youth services space for the purpose of retrieving library materials,” says the new policy, which was adopted by the board.
Unaccompanied adults who are in the youth area but not actively retrieving library materials “may be questioned by staff and may be asked to use another area of the library.”
It also says computers, restrooms, and seating areas in the youth space are reserved for youth and their responsible caregivers.
The policy also says children under the age of 8 must be accompanied and monitored by a responsible adult while in the library.
The new policy also includes vulnerable adults, defined as those who reside in a facility or receive service from a facility or care provider and have a physical or mental infirmity or other physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction.
The new rules say caregivers accompanying vulnerable adults should remain within eyesight of the vulnerable adults at all times.
“Vulnerable adults are expected to follow the code of conduct set forth in the User Rights & Responsibilities Policy.”
Library staff are not permitted to assume responsibility for the safety, care, or supervision of vulnerable adults, the policy states.
Vulnerable adults may use the youth services space while accompanied by responsible caregivers.