ROOMS - The library currently has 3 general meeting areas available.  

THOMAS LIBRARY MEETING ROOM- Capacity 30
HAGEMAN LIBRARY MEETING ROOM- Capacity 25
LIBRARY SERVICE CENTER MEETING ROOM- Capacity 100

OPEN MEETINGS - All meetings must be free and open to the public. No closed meetings or secret sessions are allowed.

FEES - There is no charge for using the library's meeting rooms during regular library operating hours. Groups wishing to meet when the library buildings are closed will have to arrange to hire a library staff member authorized to open and close the building and supervise the meeting.  

Groups may not charge an admission fee or collect donations in conjunction with the use of the library's meeting rooms.

Buying and selling products or services in not permitted except in support of the library. Groups wishing to conduct fund raising activities must receive the prior permission of the Library Board.  

Groups may charge a reasonable fee for meals served during the meeting. Caterers may provide the meal, but they must coordinate their services with the library.

RESERVATIONS AND CANCELLATIONS - Groups requesting the use of the meeting rooms must contact the library's administrative office and complete a meeting room application form. Only adult resident patrons of the library district may reserve meeting rooms.  

Applications will be reviewed by the Director and if approved, the meeting will be scheduled. Standing reservations must be renewed annually between January 1, and January 15.

The library reserves the right to relocate, cancel or postpone meetings depending on room demand, availability, and group size.  

The library must be notified as soon as possible about cancelled or postponed meetings.

SET UP - Groups are responsible for preparing the room arrangement for their meetings.  

CLEAN UP - All tables and chairs must be returned to their original positions at the conclusion of the meeting. Meeting areas must be free from litter and excessive amounts of trash must be removed. Groups may arrange for the use of library cleaning equipment in advance to insure the rooms are left clean.

SUPPLIES - Groups must provide all of their own supplies.  

EQUIPMENT - Groups may arrange for the use of the library's audio visual equipment by calling the A-V department at 926-7696. Coffee pots may also be reserved if available.

STORAGE - Groups may be allowed to store equipment in the library as space permits. Groups must provide their own storage containers. The library assumes no responsibility for the possible loss of any stored material.  

INSURANCE - The library may require on a case by case basis, general liability insurance naming the library as an additional insured, retention of security personnel, or compensation for additional library staff to help supervise activities. 

WESTCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
MEETING ROOM POLICY
(Effective January 13, 2005)

 INTRODUCTION

The buildings of Westchester Public Library (“Library”) contain meeting rooms to help fulfill the goals and objectives of the Library and to bring together the resources of the Library and the activities of our community. 

The Library invites the public to make maximum use of its meeting rooms.  To this end, meeting rooms shall be made available to any local group of citizens for the purpose of holding meetings or exhibits of a cultural, educational (including continuing professional education), intellectual, informational, civic, charitable, or entertaining nature, but not of a primarily private or commercial nature.

The administration of the Library shall (i) formulate specific procedures, forms, and requirements for the implementation of this policy consistent with the guidelines provided in this policy, and (ii) provide day-to-day interpretations of this policy. 

PERMITTED ACTIVITIES

Any use of the Library’s meeting rooms must conform with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.  Financial and investment seminars are prohibited.  No activity shall be permitted which shall in any manner be potentially destructive to the Library property or disruptive to activities of the Library or other groups using the Library.  The use of alcohol shall not be permitted except at Library Board sponsored functions.

All activities must be open to the public. 

Use of the Library’s meeting rooms shall require the specific permission of the Library.  A requesting group must agree to comply to the rules, regulations and procedures adopted by the Library, including, without limitation, (i) provision of general liability insurance naming the Library as additional insured, (ii) compensation of Library staff who act as chaperones, and (iii) retention of off-duty police for security.

The fact that a group is permitted to meet in the Library does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies, beliefs, or activities. 

PRIORITY

Library-sponsored activities shall always take precedence in scheduling meeting room use.  Non-library groups shall be treated as equitably as possible within the constraints of popular demand, availability and size.

USE FEE

There shall not be a basic fee for the use of the Library’s meeting rooms.  However, expenses for janitorial services, losses, or repairs shall be the responsibility of the group causing the same.

ADMISSION FEE

Groups may not charge an admission fee or collect a donation in conjunction with the use of the Library’s meeting rooms.  Groups may collect nominal and reasonable dues from the membership and receive reimbursement for actual meal costs. 

Buying and selling of products or services is not permitted on the Library’s property except in support of the Library.  Groups wishing to conduct fund-raising activities for community or other purposes must receive the prior permission of the Director of the Library.

SUPERVISION

Each group requesting use of the Library’s meeting rooms shall designate one or more of its members to be directly responsible for the group’s use.  At a minimum, the designated person shall be responsible for (i) scheduling, (ii) preparation, (iii) clean-up, (iv) insuring that all policies and procedures of the Library are followed, (v) restricting attendees from entering the Library proper when the meeting is being held before or after Library hours, and (vi) acting as liaison with the Library administration. 

Children and young adult groups are encouraged to use the Library’s meeting rooms; however, they must be supervised by one or more adult sponsors if under the age of 18.

ABUSES AND APPEAL

Any breach of this policy may be cause for revoking, suspending, or limiting the use of the Library’s meeting rooms by the offending group.  Any denied group may re-apply for use of the Library’s meeting rooms; provided that, the group shows that the conditions that caused the denial have been corrected. 

Any denial of use may be appealed to the Director of the Library who will present the appeal to the Library’s Board of Trustees.