Program Room Use Rules & Regulations

Bellingham Public Library Program Room Use Rules & Regulations

1. When not needed for library-related activities, the Program Room at the Bellingham Public Library will be available to local groups and organizations for meetings or programs of an educational, informational, cultural or civic nature.
2. Reservations for the use of the meeting room must be made by an individual who resides in the Town of Bellingham or by an accredited representative of an organization located in Bellingham or local community group.
3. The Town of Bellingham, the Bellingham Community and local 501(c) 3 nonprofit groups may use the room free of charge during regular library hours. There are charges for other nonprofits and for profit groups. There are also charges for use of the room outside of library hours, with the approval of the Library Director.

Current fees are:

Other nonprofit organizations              $25.00 per hour
For profit organizations                        $50.00 per hour

In addition, there is a $40 per hour fee for reservations outside of normal library hours.

Requests for reservations outside of the library hours must be emailed to the Bellingham Library. Please include the name of the group requesting the room, the type of meeting being held, the dates and times needed as well as contact information of the person making the request.

• Patrons must request use of the room by completing our online room request form. The Director has the authority to grant or deny permission to use the room. Any request that the Director determines may conflict with the intent of these policies will be forwarded to the Library Board of Trustees for approval. Any group wishing to reserve the room for ongoing and consecutive meetings will be allowed to reserve the room only four times in any eight-week period.
• The Director reserves the right to cancel a reservation if necessary. If a reservation is cancelled by the Director every effort will be made to provide the organization with as much advance notice as possible (and a full refund will be issued to paying groups). If a reservation is cancelled by the organization, the organization may reschedule the reservation, but will not receive a refund. Payment for room use must be received 10 days prior to the event. If the event is booked within 10 days of occuring, payment must be made within one business day.
• The Program Room is available “as is.” Groups using the space may be responsible for setting up chairs, tables and equipment, as well as putting them away at the end of the meeting. We do not have the personnel to service groups in the room. There are no administrative or custodial services provided. The area should be left in the same condition that it was in when the group arrived.
• All meetings must be open to the public. No admission may be charged, tickets sold or money making functions held except for library related events. Attendance must be limited to the 25 person capacity of the Program Room.
• Instructions of the library staff regarding the safe and orderly operation of library facilities must be followed at all times. Any group or individual not adhering to the library behavior policy will be asked to leave the premises.
• Those organizations receiving permission to use library owned equipment must make arrangements for one of its members to receive instruction in its use prior to the sponsored event. The library cannot guarantee technical assistance with audio visual equipment.
• Smoking is not permitted in the Program Room or in the library building
• Latex balloons and latex gloves are not permitted or allowed anywhere in the library.
• Light refreshments may be served

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, December 2017