1.1 STATEMENT OF POLICY

The Port Washington Public Library maintains meeting rooms to bring together the resources of the Library and the interests and activities of the community. The meeting room is used primarily for programs sponsored or co-sponsored by the Library. At times, when not needed for the Library’s own programs, the meeting room will be made available for meetings and programs sponsored by others.

As an institution of education for democratic living, the Library should welcome the use of its meeting rooms for socially useful and cultural activities and discussion of current public questions. Such meeting places should be available on equal terms to all groups in the community regardless of the beliefs and affiliations of their members, provided that the meetings be open to the public.

Permitting an organization or individual use of a meeting room does not imply the Library’s endorsement of that organization or individual, its aims, policies or program presented. The Library assumes no obligation to present an alternative program at the behest of a member of the community.

Use of the meeting room is granted in accordance with the provisions of the Education Law of the State of New York and in accordance with this policy. Applications are required for meetings and programs. Priority will be given to individuals or organizations residing or located in the Port Washington School District.

Use of a meeting room may be denied where there is a likelihood of physical hazard to participants or audiences, or a misuse of premises or equipment. Past misuse of Library property is grounds for denial of applications for future use.

The Board of Trustees of the Library reserves the right to review all applications.

1.2 PROHIBITED USES

The meeting room may not be used:

a. for meetings at which an admission is charged;

b. for meetings which are not open to the general public;

c. for meetings sponsored by political organizations;

d. by an individual or organization for personal profit, aggrandizement, or advertisement; or

e. for any meeting which is commercial in purpose or at which goods or services
are advertised or sold unless there is a valid Library purpose.

1.3 PROGRAM FUNDING

The Library Director is authorized to direct specific staff, members and advisory councils to plan and implement performances, exhibitions and programs for community, educational, cultural, and recreational purposes. The Library sponsors and funds such programs of its own devising.

The Library will not fund programs it does not originate. In some cases, the Library may choose to co-sponsor programs that it helps to plan with outside organizations. Organizations outside the Library, which meet the criteria outlined in this policy, may also use Library facilities to present programs. The outside organizations must sponsor, provide any needed funding, and oversee the presentation of their programs. The Library may assist those organizations by providing fee-based technical assistance, when needed, and custodial support.

1.4 CONDITIONS ON USE

a. Application forms for use of the meeting room must be filled out
completely, signed by the applicant and submitted to the Library administrator at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Cancellations less than two (2) business days prior to the requested date may incur associated fees. 

b. The applicant must agree to include in all information provided to the public by news releases, posters, written programs, etc., a statement as follows: “The Port Washington Public Library provides an opportunity for individuals or groups to use its meeting room for public meetings. This does not imply any endorsement on the part of the Library of the programs so presented.”

c. The applicant must leave the meeting rooms, and kitchen, if used, in the same condition in which it was found.

d. The applicant must assume full financial responsibility for any misuse of the premises and equipment.

e. Applications for meetings by young people, through 18 years of age, must be sponsored and signed by an adult who will assume responsibility. At least one adult must be in attendance when the meeting room is being used by such groups.

f. Smoking is prohibited in the Library. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure strict enforcement of this regulation.

g. Refreshments may be served at program meetings at the discretion of the Library Administrator and kitchen facilities are available for this purpose. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

h. No food or other merchandise may be sold by outside groups.

i. A Library technician for the projection, sound and special lighting equipment is required when any of this equipment is used in conjunction with a program. Equipment must be operated by Library personnel. (Fees are listed on meeting room application.)

j. Local fire regulations limit occupancy of the Thomas Lapham meeting room to 180 and occupancy of the Hagedorn room to 45. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure strict enforcement of this regulation.

k. After Library closing hours, meeting groups are restricted to the general area of the meeting room on the lower level of the Library and the upper entrance lobby.

l. The Library’s video-teleconferencing accounts (i.e. Zoom) are to be used only for Library meetings, programs, and events. 

1.5 SCHEDULES

Meetings may be scheduled during hours when the Library is open to the public.

The Library Director may approve meetings that extend beyond the Library’s closing time. Fees for after hour use are listed on the “Application for Use of Library Facilities”.

If it is available, community groups may use meeting room for up to three (3) months of periodic meetings. Continuation of regularly scheduled meetings will be granted at the discretion of the Library Director. Community groups may not reserve a meeting room prior to two (2) months before the date of the program.

When the Library is closed, on special request, a meeting room may be made available for use. Permission for such special use will be granted only on the condition that the Library receive full compensation for all costs incurred as the result of such use.

1.6 FEES

The “Application for Use of Library Facilities” contains the fee schedule. The application for Use of Library Facilities is available upon request to Administration.

2.0 SMALL STUDY ROOMS

Use of study rooms in the Library for quiet individual work, group projects, small meetings, non-profit tutoring, or study sessions  can be reserved online, by phone, or in person, for periods of up to two hours. Reservations may be extended if availability allows. When requesting a study room, the applicant must be sixteen (16) years of age or older. Library study rooms are not available for commercial purposes including, but not limited to, private tutoring for a fee or other prohibited uses as stipulated in Meeting Room Policy 1.0 in the Policy Manual.