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FARMINGTON AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT MEETING ROOM POLICY

The Farmington Area Public Library District has meeting rooms whose primary purpose is in support of library functions, meetings, and programs.  These rooms are available for use by individuals, groups, and organizations.

THE FACILITIES

The community meeting room has a comfortable capacity of 48 persons in chairs arranged auditorium style or 36 people at tables. 

 CONDITIONS

 Organizations not affiliated with the Farmington Area Public Library District may use the meeting room only when all of the following conditions are met:

  1. The meeting cannot be expected to disrupt the ability of the library to conduct its business in a normal and orderly manner.
  2. The meeting is open to the public.
  3. The reservation for the meeting room is made by a resident of the library district.  Exceptions to this may be made by the library director in special cases.
  4. The organization assumes all responsibility for set-up and clean-up.
  5. Meetings that begin and/or end outside of regular library hours will depend on the availability of library personnel.
  6. For building security purposes, there is a $25 fee for meetings beginning outside of regular library hours.  There is an additional $25 fee for meetings beginning outside of library hours that continue more than an hour ($50 maximum).  There is a $25 fee for meetings beginning during library hours that continue past library closing.  Fees are to be paid in advance.
  7. No fee may be charged, no collection may be taken, and no purchase may be required by those who attend.

PRIORITIES FOR USE

 Priorities for granting use shall be as follows:

  1. Farmington Area Public Library District and library affiliated/sponsored groups.
  2. Non-profit educational, informational, cultural or civic groups and organizations having at least one adult member who is a library district resident.

GENERAL MEETING ROOM USE RULES

  •  Requests for meeting room use must be made to library staff in advance.  Requests may be made up to 90 days in advance.  Requests will generally be honored in order of
  • application.  Requests for use by the same group in excess of once each month will only be granted if there are no conflicting requests.  An application for meeting room use must be on file.
  •  The contact person for each group is responsible for ensuring that each member of his or her group is aware of and abides by these rules.
  •  The Library District reserves the right to revise any meeting arrangements scheduled if necessary and to preempt an established reservation upon reasonable notification.
  •  In the event of a building emergency or weather-related emergency, meetings may be canceled.
  •  Use of the meeting room does not constitute Library District endorsement of viewpoints expressed by participants in the program.  Advertisements or announcements implying such endorsements are not permitted.
  •  No publicity for the meeting will involve the library in any way other than as a place of meeting. No individual, group or organization meeting at the library shall use the library as its official address.
  •  No signs, posters, or announcements may be placed anywhere in the building without the express permission of the Library Director.
  •  Groups using the meeting room must comply with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations – such as hiring an interpreter or providing auxiliary aids required under the Americans with Disability Act when requested by the public.
  • Groups using the meeting room may not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, national origin, age, religious belief or handicap, against any person requesting admission to the meeting.
  •  The group agrees to indemnify and hold the Library District harmless from any and all claims, suits, damages costs, losses, and expenses in any manner resulting from or arising out of the group’s use of the room.  The Library District reserves the right to require a certificate of insurance.
  •  The organization will be responsible for any advance preparations and room set-up, and for leaving the facilities in the same order they were before the meeting.  A $50.00 clean-up fee may be imposed on any group violating this requirement. 
  • The library does not provide porter service to carry supplies and equipment into the meeting room.
  •  Any person or group using the meeting room will be responsible for the cost of repair of any and all damages done to library property.
  • Groups agree to pay for any security measures that the Library District or law enforcement officials determine are reasonably required in connection with any meeting proposed by the group.  At least 48 hours prior to the meeting, groups shall deposit funds with the Library District, as the Library District reasonably deems necessary in light of the relevant circumstances, to cover the cost of such measures.
  •  Refreshment supplies such as paper supplies, kitchen utensils, table service and any foods or beverages are not provided by the library.
  •  Library District audiovisual equipment may be available for use with proper advance request.  Library staff is not available to operate equipment.
  •  Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in any area of the Library.
  •  Groups younger than 18 years old must have adult supervision who assumes responsibility for the group’s activities and for the care of property and facilities.
  •  The library is not responsible for lost or damaged items used or left in the building by the group.  No items may be stored at the library.
  •  Future use of the meeting room may be restricted or denied for any violation of these rules.

USE OF MEETING ROOM FOR FAMILY AND SOCIAL EVENTS

The community meeting room may be used for family and social events such as a birthday party or anniversary open house under the following conditions:

  1. The reservation for the room must be made by a resident of the library district.  Cost for a private event is $25.
  2. Reservations may be made no earlier than 30 days prior to the event to maintain the availability of the room for higher priority events.
  3. Events must start and end within regular library hours or pay fees as listed above.  Events taking place outside of regular library hours will be approved on a case-by-case basis based on availability of staff.
  4. All other rules remain as listed above.

USE OF DAVID VAUGHN STUDY ROOM

  • The library has one study room for the use of individuals or small groups.  This room is available on a first-come, first-served basis and no reservations may be made, except that library staff may reserve the room for library functions or to accommodate a simultaneous need for meeting space.
  • The library reserves the right to limit the number of hours any individual or group may use the study room in order to ensure its availability for multiple users or when demand is high.

REVIEW PROCESS

 Groups may appeal any decision of the Library District under this Meeting Room Policy to the Board of Trustees.

Such appeal shall be filed in writing with the Library Director within 10 days after notice of the decision is given to the group.  Such notice will be deemed to have been given to the group when the decision is personally delivered in writing to group or when notice is sent to the user by first class mail to the registered address.

In the event of such an appeal, the Board of Trustees may hold a hearing for the purpose of hearing evidence relevant to the appeal.

Within 30 days the Board of Trustees will make a final decision regarding the matter.