Community Room Use Policy
The purpose of the library's community room is to provide space for library events, programs and meetings, and to fulfill the library's role as a community center where the public can attend informational, educational, cultural, and entertaining events to champion the principal of intellectual freedom by providing a forum for the free exchange of ideas.
The community room policy, rules and regulations are intended to ensure that the room is available on an equitable basis and in good condition.
Community Room Rules and Regulations
Reservations
The community room is open to reservations every day with the exception of city designated holidays.
Library sponsored activities will be given priority in scheduling the community room.
The community room must be reserved prior to use. Reservations can be made in person at the library or by calling the library at 374-6203. The following information will be required:
Name of requestor
Contact phone number
Organization
Date/Time/Duration of use
Rental Fee
$15.00 for all groups.
The rental fee must be paid prior to use of the community room.
Users who reserve and prepay for 6 or more sessions, may be entitled to a discount if the room use is typically transparent (no trash, floor vacuumed, furniture returned to original placement). Discounts will be decided on a case by case basis by the Board of Trustees.
Keys
Keys to the library/community room will only be issued in the event that a reservation begins or ends outside of regular library hours and a library staff member will not be on site.
Only the individual signing the Community Room Agreement may check out the keys. That person is responsible for making arrangements to pick up the keys and for returning them.
Keys should be left in the community room at the end of the room usage. Keys returned late are subject to a minimum late fee of $10.00. Keys are considered late if they are returned any day after the room usage. Any keys lost will be subject to a fee of $150.00.
Keys that are late, improperly returned or lost more than once will immediately suspend that individual/group's ability to reserve the community room for six(6) months.
Usage and Care of the Community Room
No admission charge may be made for any function held in the library without prior approval from the Library Director or Library Board of Trustees.
No groups or individuals may assign its reservation to another group or individual.
A vacuum and other basic cleaning supplies will be available to aid in clean up of community room/lobby/restrooms.
No attachments using glue, tape, tacks, etc. to the interior or exterior surfaces shall be allowed.
Persons under the age of 21 must be under adult supervision.
Only local telephone calls are allowed on the community room telephone. Long distance calls are not allowed.
Liability
The individual/organization reserving the community room will be accountable for all damages.
The Sidney Public Library Board of Trustees, the Sidney Library staff and/or the City of Sidney are not responsible for accidents, injury, or loss of property while the community room is in use.
Food/Beverages
Light refreshments may be served and must be supplied by the users of the community room. The refrigerator, microwave, and coffee pots located in the kitchen may be used by community room occupants. All other supplies and food in the kitchen are the property of the Sidney Public Library or staff and not intended for community room users.
Tableware must be supplied by the community room users.
Food and beverages that are brought in for the event must be removed.
All trash must be removed from the premises. It can be placed in dumpster on the west side of building.
Any items not removed will be discarded and a cleaning fee may apply.
Furnishings
The TV and DVD player may be used upon request. Such usage should be arranged when reserving the community room.
Tables and chairs are available for use. The group using the community room is responsible for arranging furnishings according to its needs.
No furniture or other items may be moved out of the community room.
Other
All library use policies apply to use of the community room unless otherwise designated in this policy.
The rules and regulations that apply to the community room also pertain to the use and care of the lobby and public restrooms.
The library requires a count of the number of people attending any event held in the community room.
The Library Director is authorized to deny permission to use the library community room to any group that violates any library policies.
Adopted: 2006
Revised: February 2013
Revised: December 2016
Revised: August 2019
Revised: July 2021
Revised: August 2022