Geauga County Public Library
Chardon, OH
The primary purpose of meetings rooms is for library activities, including programs presented by library staff or by a Friends of the Library group and other organizations affiliated with the Library. When a meeting room is not being used for a Library activity, then it may be used by the public.
Fund raising events sponsored by the Library, Friends of the Library or other organizations affiliated with the Library are permitted.
Refreshments may be served. The Library staff is responsible for setting up or taking down chairs or tables for Library activities only.
Library sponsored activities may be conducted before or after library hours at the discretion the Library Manager. The presenters of Library programs may wish to limit public comments during all or part of their meetings or programs. Any such limitations shall be announced at the beginning of the meeting and should in no way interfere with the public's ability to attend, observe or listen to the program.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03–12–96
Meeting rooms are available to the public for civic, cultural or educational programs or meetings.
Meetings and programs must be open to the public and free of charge.
The Library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of any group or individual. Meeting room use shall not be publicized in such a way as to imply Library sponsorship.
Meeting rooms are available only when the library is open. Meeting room use, including clean up, must end before the library's closing time. A group using a meeting room may rearrange furniture, but must then return the room to its original condition. The Library staff cannot set up or take down chairs or tables. Refreshments may be served, but not alcoholic beverages. Waste should be placed in the proper receptacles and utensils cleaned and put away. Smoking is prohibited. The Library reserves the right to charge a fee for any needed repairs or cleaning.
Reservations for regularly–scheduled meetings will be accepted up to three months in advance. One–time programs will be scheduled up to one year in advance. The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to limit the frequency of use of its meeting rooms; to cancel reservations and to review any or all applications before granting approval.
Meeting room programs must not interfere with library operations. The Library is not liable for injuries to people or damage to property, individuals or organizations using the meeting rooms.
Fund raising events are not permitted. Meeting rooms are not available for for–profit programs or organizations. Meetings that promote, advertise, or lead (directly or indirectly) to sale of products or services are not permitted.
Organizations presenting programs or conducting business meetings may wish to limit public comments during all or part of their meetings or programs. Any such limitations should be announced at the beginning of the meeting and should in no way interfere with the public's ability to attend, observe or listen to the program.
Educational courses conducted by non–profit agencies may charge fees for learning materials or course credits, but the program must be open for observation to members of the public who don't pay fees.
Each library maintains a calendar listing of confirmed meeting dates which is available to the public.
Minors may reserve and use meeting rooms as long as they can meet all meeting room requirements.
The playing of games is an appropriate meeting room activity. The Library does not restrict the content of games played in meeting rooms. For minors, the Library encourages parents to make such determinations of participation and so instruct their children.
The name, address or phone number of Geauga County Public Library and its individual libraries may not be used as the official address or headquarters of any organization except those affiliated with the Library.
The Library cannot supply storage space (See Policy 561).
Preschool children cannot be left unattended outside meeting rooms (See Policy 952).
Rest rooms are available at all times. (see Policy 563).
I. Who Can Use the Meeting Rooms?
The facilities of the Geauga County Public Library are available for public gatherings of a non–profit, civic, cultural or educational character when rooms are not being used for their primary purpose: library related activities. Such use of meeting room facilities must take place in a responsible manner, without undue cost to the Library Board of Trustees, and without undue interference with library activity.
- All meetings and programs must be free of charge and open to the public. Organizations conducting business meetings or presenting programs may wish to restrict or limit public comments during all or part of their meetings or programs. Any such restrictions should be announced at the beginning of the meeting and should in no way interfere with the public's ability to attend, observe or listen to the program.
- Each library maintains a calendar listing of confirmed meeting dates which is available to the public.
- Fund raising events are not permitted unless sponsored by the Library or Friends of the Library.
- Meetings planned by a company to promote, advertise, or leading to sale of its products and services are not permitted. Employee orientation and training programs are subject to Board of Trustees approval.
- Minors may reserve and use meeting rooms as long as they can meet all meeting room requirements.
- The playing of games is an appropriate meeting room activity. The Library does not restrict the content of games played in meeting rooms. For minors, the Library encourages parents to make such determinations and so instruct their children.
- The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to review any or all applications and may demand sufficient time to make proper investigation before granting approval.
II. Guidelines for Meeting Room Use.
- Programs may not interfere with library operations.
- Refreshments may be served, but no alcoholic beverages are allowed.
- The Library cannot be responsible for setting up or taking down chairs or tables. Groups using the Library meeting rooms may rearrange furniture, but must return the rooms to their original condition prior to the end of the scheduled room use.
- Waste should be placed in the proper receptacles and utensils cleaned and put away. The Library reserves the right to charge a fee if facilities must be cleaned.
- Smoking is prohibited in the libraries.
- The Library cannot supply storage space (See Policy 561).
- Preschool children cannot be left unattended outside meeting rooms (See Policy 952).
- Rest rooms are available at all times. (see Policy 563).
III. Fees, Times of Use and Liabilities.
- Use of meeting rooms is free of charge.
- Meeting rooms are available for use by the public only when the library is open. (See Policy 510: HOURS OF SERVICE). Groups using the library meeting rooms need to end the meeting or program, clean up, move tables and chairs (as needed) and exit the meeting room before the library's closing time.
- Requests to use meeting rooms when the library is closed are subject to Board of Trustees approval. Consideration cannot be assured unless application is received in time for presentation at a Library Board of Trustees meeting.
- Library–sponsored programs and activities (such as book sales, preparation for storytime) may be scheduled before or after library hours, at the discretion of the Library Manager. (See Policies 410 and 420).
- Payment of fees for education courses conducted by established educational institutions are subject to Board of Trustees approval. Consideration cannot be assured unless application is received in time for presentation at a Library Board of Trustees meeting. If educational programs with fees or other charges are approved, the program must still be open to the public without fees. The Library recognizes that members of the public attending without paying fees are not eligible for learning materials, course credits or other benefits of paid registration to the sponsoring group.
- Payment shall be made for any damage to or loss of library property.
- The Library is not liable for injuries to people or damage to property or organizations using the meeting rooms.
IV. Reservations and Cancellations.
- Reservations for regularly scheduled meetings will be accepted no more than three months in advance. One–time programs or meetings will be scheduled no more than one year in advance.
- The Library reserves the right to limit the frequency of use of its facilities.
- The needs of the Library take precedence over other groups. The Library reserves the right to cancel prior meeting room reservations with a least 48 hours notice, or with less notice in case of emergency (snow closing, etc.).
- Groups may cancel their reservations at any time and should notify the Library as soon as possible.
V. Publicity.
- The name, address or phone number of Geauga County Public Library and its individual libraries may not be used as the official address or headquarters of any organization except those affiliated with the Library.
- The use of the meeting room by a non–library group shall not be publicized in such a way as to imply Library sponsorship of the group's activities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03–12–96
