1. Purpose: The Putnam County Library System recognizes the role of parents and legal guardians in guiding their children’s use of library materials. This policy provides an optional, parent-initiated library card that limits a child’s borrowing privileges to materials shelved only in the Children’s Collection.
This option is intended to support family choice while preserving broad access to library materials for all patrons.

2. Voluntary Nature of the Restricted Card:
• Participation in this program is entirely voluntary.
• The Library does not assign restricted cards by default.
• The restriction applies only at the request of a parent or legal guardian.
• No patron is required to select this option in order to obtain a library card.
• This card is an additional option to the current Child (Limited Access) card. Policy for the standard Child card remains in effect: “Starting at age 5, a child may apply for a Child Card. The child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when applying for a card, and proof of residence and valid ID must be presented by the parent or guardian at time of application. Parent or guardian must sign application.

3. Eligibility:
• Restricted Youth Library Cards are available for minor children under the age of 16.
• A parent or legal guardian must:
o Be present at the time of application, and
o Hold a valid Putnam County Library card.
• The parent or guardian is responsible for determining whether this option is appropriate for their
child.

4. Scope of Restriction:
• A Restricted Youth Library Card allows borrowing only from the Children’s Collection as designated by the Library. Similar to the current Child card, Restricted Child Cards also cannot check out DVDs.
• The restriction is based solely on collection location, not on individual titles, authors, subjects, or viewpoints.
• Materials outside the Children’s Collection, including Young Adult and Adult collections, may not be checked out using a Restricted Youth Library Card.

5. Parental Responsibility and Library Role:
• The Library does not act in loco parentis.
• Parents and guardians retain full responsibility for monitoring and guiding their child’s book selections.
• Library staff do not provide individualized content judgments or recommendations based on parental restrictions.
• Library Code of Conduct policy requires all children under 13 to be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

6. Changes or Removal of Restrictions:
• A parent or legal guardian may request:
o Removal of the restriction, or
o Conversion to a standard Child library card
• Requests must be made in person or in writing by the parent or legal guardian.
• Changes will be implemented within a reasonable timeframe.

7. Non-Discrimination:
• The availability or use of a Restricted Youth Library Card does not affect access to library services, programs, or facilities with the exception of existing policy that children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult when using the computers.
• Library services are provided without discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, or disability.

8. Policy Review: This policy shall be reviewed periodically by the Putnam County Library Board of Trustees to ensure consistency with applicable law, library operations, and community needs.