LIBRARY MEETING ROOM POLICY

 The Library provides the use of its meeting room facilities as an additional service to groups and organizations under conditions established by the Board of Trustees. 

 The meeting room is available for use by all groups and organizations except for-profit organizations.  A for-profit organization is one whose primary purpose is the sale of property or services for monetary gain.  The meeting room is not available for use by individuals.

 The meeting room may not be used by any group or organization for the following types of functions:

1. Commercial ventures.

2. Purely social functions.

3. Any other activity which would materially and substantially interfere with proper functions of the Library such as excessive noise, a significant safety hazard or a significant security risk.

A commercial venture is defined as an activity whose purpose is to promote or cause the sale of property or services for monetary gain or to raise funds (except fund raising for the Library).  A purely social function is one designed for entertainment through companionship with friends and associates.

Obtaining permission to use the meeting room requires submission of a Meeting Room Application to the Library Director at least one week before the Board Meeting preceding the event date.  The Applications may be obtained from the Library.  The Application will be presented to the Library Board for approval at the next scheduled Library Board Meeting after submission.

Priority for use of the meeting room will be given in the following order:

    1.  Schiller Park Public Library and library related groups.

     2.  Meetings or programs of all other groups / organizations, applicant a Schiller Park Resident    

     3.  Meetings or programs of all other groups / organizations.

 Date of receipt of the application will determine the priority if there is a date conflict.  During the year,  applications will be accepted whenever the meeting room is available.

 A group or organization which has been denied permission to use the meeting room may appeal such denial to the Library Board of Trustees at the Board's next regularly scheduled meeting.  However, written notice of said appeal and all written documentation supporting the appeal are to be delivered to the Library Director at least seven business days before such Board Meeting.  At this Board Meeting, the appellant may be granted up to fifteen minutes for a presentation that would support reversal of the Library Board's denial.  The Board of Trustees will deliberate on the appeal in open session and will attempt to complete it's findings of fact and to reach a decision at that meeting unless additional information is deemed necessary.

 A Library staff member will check the meeting room before and after each scheduled use, and the Library Director will notify in writing the person who applied to use the room of any violations of the meeting room regulations.   The Library Director will also notify the Board of Trustees which may consider suspending the privilege of using the meeting room to that group / organization.  The Board of Trustees after giving proper notification and due process to that group / organization, may suspend the group / organization's meeting room privileges.

The Board of Trustees of the Schiller Park Public Library will review the Meeting Room Policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time.

The following rules apply to meeting room use:

1. All applications for meeting room use must be made by a person age 18 or older.

2. The meeting room applicant's group or organization which the applicant represents shall be liable for any breakage, damage or theft of any Library property caused by members or guests of the group of organization.

3. The applicant should be present at the entire meeting, since he / she is one of the responsible parties. 

4. Except for Library-sponsored meetings, meeting publicity must instruct attendees to park     vehicles in legal areas other than the Library's main lot, so this lot can be used by patrons using the collection.

5. All meetings shall be open to the public.  This in no way obligates the groups or          organizations to notify the public of the meeting or specify in any publicity that it is open to the public.

6. No group or organization may charge an admission to the meeting, except for Library sponsored programs for which  fees may be charged to defray expenses.

7. No  smoking or alcohol is allowed in the meeting room.

8. Meetings may be scheduled only on days when the Library is open.

9. Permission to use a meeting room does not constitute endorsement of the subject matter of the meeting, or the group's or organization's beliefs and policies.  As a result, publicity on non-Library-sponsored meetings must in no way imply Library sponsorship.

10. Groups / Organizations using the meeting room may not use the Library as their mailing address or telephone number.

11. No signs or posters pertaining to a non-Library-sponsored meeting may be placed in the    Library, except on the main floor bulletin board. 

12. No group or organization may store equipment or materials in the Library, except on a temporary basis with the Library Director's permission.

13. The Library is not responsible for the lost of / or damage to any equipment or materials  owned or rented by a group / organization meeting in the Library.

14. No non-Library sponsored meeting may begin before 30 minutes after the Library opens.

15. Each non-Library sponsored meeting must end 15 minutes before the Library's regular closing time.  A representative of the group / organization should notify the Circulation Desk Staff  when the meeting has concluded.  Set up is the responsibility of the applicant.

16. At the conclusion of a meeting, the group / organization is responsible for placing the room in the condition existing before the meeting commenced.  This includes, but is not limited to,  rearranging or restacking chairs  and cleaning tables.

17. Nothing may be attached to the walls or ceiling of the meeting room.

18. The Library has the following furniture and equipment available for use in the meeting  rooms upon adequate notice:  chairs, folding tables, movie screen, and TV / VCR.  Any  other equipment must be provided by the group / organization.

19. It is the responsibility of the group / organization to insure compliance with fire code  restrictions relating to meeting room occupancy limits.

20. When a group finds it necessary to cancel a meeting, it should promptly notify the Library     Director, but not less than 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

21. At no time may the fire door at the bottom of the stairs or the meeting room doors be propped open.