Hall County Library System
Policy Statement

Public

 Y. Use of Meeting Rooms

Approved by:
Board of Trustees

Date:
06/30/97
 
Revised Date:
10/28/97
07/25/06
1/22/08
 

The primary function of library meeting rooms is to provide space for library-related activities such as storyhours, film programs, discussion groups, and other activities co-sponsored by the library system. These activities will receive priority when scheduling the use of rooms.

Library meeting rooms may be used for non-commercial purpose by individuals and groups including but not limited to those engaged in educational, civic, cultural and government pursuits. No sales are permitted on library property, nor may any exhibit be used to advertise sales. Library sponsored events shall be exempt from this requirement.

Although a group may schedule a series of meetings in a library meeting room, the room is not intended to be a regular place for any non-library group.

No admission or attendance fee may be charged for any program or meeting held in the library meeting room. All meetings must be open to the general public.

The Hall County Library Board reserves the right to review any and all requests to use the room and may reject any which are deemed to be unsuitable. Failure to adhere to the rules governing the meeting room will result in denial of the privilege to use the facility.

Applications (Meeting Room/ Lab Application in MS Word format) for use of the room may be obtained at any branch of the library system. The application must be completed in full, must be signed by the applicant, and must be approved by the library director. There will be a 30-day initial waiting period for the first time use of the meeting room. Requests should be made during library hours. The applicant must sign a statement affirming that he/she is aware of the library system policy on the use of the room and that the group will abide by the policy. If audiovisual equipment is required, it should be reserved at the time of the application.

Any damage or loss of library property resulting from the use of the room will be the responsibility of the group using it. Users are responsible for any equipment or supplies owned by the group or individual brought into the meeting room, and such material must be removed at the conclusion of the meeting. The library system is not responsible for items left in the room.

Group activities involving more than normal wear or tear in the room will not be permitted.
When the room is used by organizations and groups with members under the age of 18, applications for use of the facility must be made by adults, and the adult in charge should arrive before the young people and must stay until the departure of all the young people.

Functions should be held during regular library hours when possible. Exceptions are approved by the library director and will require a library representative on site.

A minimum fee will be charged to groups using the library meeting rooms outside library regular hours to provide compensation to the outside security company under contract with the library for the event. Groups are required to use the library system’s security company.

When parents are attending meeting room functions, children should not be left unattended.

No smoking is allowed in the meeting room or in any area of the library.