ATTENTION - MEETING ROOM POLICY HAS CHANGED - MARCH 15, 2012

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Meeting Room Policy

I. PURPOSE

 The purpose of the meeting room policy is to provide a basis for equitable service to all customers who request to use the library’s facilities and to clarify the responsibilities of both the library and its customers with regard to the use of the library’s meeting rooms.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

Durham County Library makes its meeting room facilities available to local groups and organizations for lawful public use on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. All meetings must be free and open to the public. No fees, dues or donations may be charged to or solicited from those attending meetings held in library facilities. Permission by the library to use its facilities does not constitute an endorsement by the library staff, the Library Board, or the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

The library’s meeting rooms are not available for private social functions such as weddings, birthday or anniversary parties. Large meeting rooms are not available for individual use. Meeting rooms are not to be used as a base of operations for any club or organization. Meetings cannot exceed room capacity as determined by the Durham County Fire Marshal.

A valid, full privileges Durham County Library card is required to reserve a meeting room. Courtesy, Temporary and Computer Use cards may not be used to reserve a meeting room. Meeting rooms may be reserved online (at durhamcountylibrary.org), by phone or in person. Please notify the library of cancellation prior to the meeting date so that the room may be made available to other patrons. Room reservations are forfeited if the individual or group has not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled start of the reservation. Abuse of the Meeting Room Policy may result in loss of room usage privileges.

III. STIPULATIONS

Main Library auditorium, conference room and regional/branch large meeting rooms

• Reservations for the rooms will be accepted on a meeting-to-meeting basis. Application may be made no more than 90 days in advance.
• There is a maximum of three (3) reservations per 90-day period for groups or individuals.

Regional library small meeting rooms, tutoring/study rooms

• Reservations may be made no more than 31 days in advance.
• Reservations are for one-hour increments.
• There is a maximum of two one-hour reservations outstanding per customer at any time.
• There is a maximum of two one-hour reservations per day. The reservations may be for two consecutive hours.

IV. REFRESHMENTS AND ROOM FEE STRUCTURE

1. Fees

Main Library auditorium, conference room and regional/branch large meeting rooms

• Nonprofits:

Free, unless refreshments are served, in which case there is a $25 fee

• Commercial/for profit

Meetings of up to four hours: $100; Meetings of more than four hours: $200

Regional Library small meeting rooms, tutoring/study rooms
Free, unless refreshments are served, in which case there is a $25 fee

• Customers are responsible for costs associated with cleaning and/or repairing any damage done to library property.
• No alcoholic beverages may be served.
• Any unpaid food, damage or room use fees will be assessed to the library card number associated with the reservation.

V. RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of all public service staff and facility supervisors to understand this policy fully so as to ensure fair and equitable application. It is the responsibility of the Deputy Director for Public Services and the Assistant Director for Facilities to interpret, monitor and recommend updates to this policy. The Library Director is the final authority with regard to restrictions on the use of the library.

Effective Date: March 2012

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By clicking the button below it will indicate that you have read the policy of the Durham County Library regarding the use of its meeting rooms and agree to follow the rules and regulations set forth in the policy.

You will be taken to the online Room Reservation System.

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Last Page Update: May 15, 2012