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Copyright
2008
River Falls 
Public Library

River Falls Public Library
Lower Level Use Policy
Approved 9/8/2003

Room Use Fee:    $25.00 per day
Damage deposit:  $50.00

The River Falls Public Library provides meeting room space for Library programs. When not in use for library activities, the rooms are made available for other meetings and programs of an informational, educational, cultural, or civic nature. Rooms may not be used by organizations for commercial purposes or for private social events for individuals.

The River Falls Public Library subscribes to the principles set forth in the ALA Library Bill of Rights: "Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use."

Use of the meeting room does not constitute Library endorsement of the activities, purposes or viewpoints expressed by the groups or individuals involved.

EQUIPMENT
The equipment listed below is available to meeting room users. Equipment must be reserved in advance of the meeting in order to insure its availability. An additional deposit may be required.

• Overhead projector
• Microphone & stand
• Slide projector
• Easel
• Video projector & VCR
• Television & VCR
• LCD projector

RULES FOR USE

1. Meeting rooms will be available for use only during the hours the library is open or when staff is available during closed hours.
2. Rooms are available to non-profit organizations for educational, cultural and other meetings of interest to the general public.
3. For-profit organizations may use the rooms for staff training, interviewing, and staff activities, and for public information, but not for sales, recruitment, or solicitation.
4. Meeting rooms are designed for changing events open to diverse groups and cannot be reserved exclusively for long-term exhibition or display. Approval is granted only for a single meeting or a brief series of meetings. Rooms are not intended for a group's regular meeting place.
5. Space must be reserved seven (7) days in advance. Shorter notice will be given consideration depending on availability and staff.
6. All programs must be appropriate to the facilities and should not be disruptive to library functions.
7. Minors (under eighteen years of age) must have the meeting room application signed by a sponsoring adult who must also be present at the meeting.
8. There will be a flat fee of $25.00 for use of the space.
9. Organizations may charge a cost recovery fee for their programs. At no time will the library staff be involved in the collection of such fees.
10. Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be served with prior approval. Kitchen facilities do not accommodate cooking. A request for use of the kitchen must be made at the time meeting room is reserved.
11. Tobacco and alcohol are forbidden.
12. Neither the Library Board of Trustees nor River Falls Public Library or City of River Falls is responsible for accidents, injury or loss while using the meeting rooms.
13. Sponsoring group accepts responsibility for set-up and take-down of chairs, tables, and general clean-up (chairs stacked; tables wiped off, folded and stored; all trash in waste baskets; kitchen cleaned if used; tables wiped down.) Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of deposit.
14. Library staff will not accept calls or relay messages for people attending meetings except in emergencies. A pay telephone is available in the main floor lobby.
15. No tape or tacks may be used on the walls.
16. No animals will be allowed in the library without permission.
17. Specific rules governing the meeting rooms are established by the Library Board and are supervised by the Library Director.
18. Staff reserves the right to monitor activities at all times.

DAMAGES AND LIABILITY
Each individual, group, or organization assumes the full responsibility for any damages incurred resulting from the use of meeting room facilities. A damage deposit of $50 per meeting room use is required at the time of reservation. If no damage has been noted, the deposit will be refunded by mail. However, if damage is noted, the damage deposit will be forfeited, and any additional costs to repair damage will be charged to the sponsoring organization. Those groups or individuals who have been assessed damages and who have reserved the room for more than one usage, will be required to forfeit the original deposit, and re-submit another deposit to resume use of the Meeting Room. Abuse of the facilities will be sufficient cause to deny further use of the room. The Library is not responsible for the loss of or damage to any equipment or materials owned or rented by an individual, group or organization using its meeting room.

Any individuals, groups, or organizations holding a meeting in the Library must fully release and discharge the River Falls Public Library, the Library Board of Trustees, the City of River Falls, its officers, agents and employees from any and all claims from injuries, damages or loss, which may arise or which may be alleged to have arisen out of, or in connection with the meeting.

EXHIBITS
As an educational and cultural institution the River Falls Public Library welcomes exhibits and displays of interest, information and enlightenment to the community. Displays of handiwork, historical material, nature study, or any other material deemed of general interest may be exhibited. The Library Board reserves the right to reject any display or item.
Exhibits will be scheduled up to a year in advance by a committee appointed by the Library Board which shall consist of the following members who will serve a two-year term: 1) a Library Board member, 2) the Library Director, 3) 2 members from the art community, and 4) one member from the community at-large. The Exhibit Selection Committee will also make decisions regarding acceptability and appropriateness of exhibits when necessary.

The Library assumes no responsibility for the preservation, protection, or possible damage or theft of any item displayed or exhibited. All items placed in the Library are done so at the owner's risk.

Areas available to the public for displays and exhibits are: the glass display cases in the Collins Community Room, the Kleinpell Gallery space on the west end of the lower level, and certain occasions, the Community Room itself.

The utilization of exhibit space by any group or individual shall not imply endorsement or approval by the River Falls Public Library. A disclaimer so stating shall appear in the display area. Each display will have a card indicating who prepared it and who to contact for information.

The following conditions will apply:

• The exhibit areas may be reserved for use by educational, cultural, civic, and governmental groups when no admission charge is made.
• Organizations or individuals sponsoring an educational program of a non-profit nature will be permitted to use the exhibit areas, provided such exhibits are open freely to the general public.
• Purely commercial use of the exhibit space is prohibited.
• The River Falls Public Library Exhibit Committee encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child. All children under 10 years of age attending exhibits shall be accompanied by an adult.
• Each individual or group will be required to complete a release form, kept at the Reference Desk. Reservations may be taken up to 12 months in advance, and are booked at a first-come, first serve basis. No exhibit may be on display for a period exceeding 60 days and no group may reserve exhibit space more than twice in one calendar year without prior approval by the library administration. Cancellations must be received in writing one week in advance. The Library Director may restrict viewing hours for special exhibits.
• All handiwork shall be submitted ready for exhibit. The Library will not furnish construction paper, letters, or other supplies. Adhesives may not be applied to the walls.
  The Library staff will not provide assistance in setting up or taking down displays. People and organizations using the facilities shall leave it neat, clean, and in orderly condition.
• Groups will remove displays at the agreed time.

Art work on display at the library may be listed for sale under the following conditions:

1. All sales are to be handled directly by the artist or the artist's agent off library grounds.
2. Any work of art that is purchased will remain on display until showing period is passed. (until scheduled end date of the show.)

Art work not picked up within 30 days following the conclusion of a display will be considered a donation to the River Falls Public Library.

REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
Materials will not be proscribed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. The Library will not censor or remove a display, exhibit, or item because some members of the community may disagree with its content. Individuals who object to a particular display, exhibit, or item should complete a "Request for a Reconsideration" form. Requests for reconsideration will be answered in writing by the River Falls Public Library administrative staff. Should a complainant wish to pursue the complaint, he/she may request a hearing by the Exhibit Selection committee. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of this committee, he/she may address the full Library Board at its regular meeting. All correspondence regarding a reconsideration request should be addressed to the Library Director, River Falls Public Library, 140 Union Street, River Falls, WI 54022.