PROVINCETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

356 Commercial Street

Provincetown, MA  02657

508.487.7094

www.ptownlib.com

 

COMMUNITY SPECIAL EVENT POLICY

 

Purpose

The purpose for providing space for nonprofit community-based Special Events and Meetings in

the Provincetown Public Library is to further the Library’s role in the community as a center for educational, informational, cultural, civic or charitable purposes.

 

Statement of Policy and Procedures

  1. The Library spaces are for meetings or programs of an educational, informational, cultural, civic or charitable nature, primarily presented or co-sponsored by the Library, but otherwise are limited to nonprofit groups or agencies.  Only Library Events may involve the sale of items.
  2. Use of the facilities for Library, in priority order are

§         Library-affiliated or Library-sponsored/co-sponsored meetings or programs shall have priority over all other requests.

§         Community nonprofit cultural or civic organizations.

§         Town of Provincetown boards and committees.

§         County governmental units.

  1. All meetings and programs must be open to any member of the public who accepts and complies with the purpose and conditions of the Event.
  2. Requests for meetings or programs limited to the Reading Room may be approved by the Library Director or designee.  Requests beyond that require Trustee approval.
  3. Meetings or programs which, in the sole judgment of the Staff, would interfere with the functions of the Library or of the Patrons using the Library will not be permitted.  Meetings or programs which are approved but which prove disruptive to Library operations and are not in compliance with the Library Behavior Policy shall be asked to end their activities.
  4. Scheduling an Event for an organization or group in the Library does not in any way constitute an endorsement by the Library of the organization of group, its activities, or of the ideas and opinions expressed during the course of the Event.  The use of the name, address or telephone numbers of the Library as the address or headquarters for any organization or group using the Library is prohibited.  Publicity generated may recite the Library name, address and appropriate space only.  Any other mention requires the express written approval of the Library Director or designee.
  5. Signs, posters, displays, etc. promoting an Event must have the approval of the Library Director or designee. 

 

 

           

 

Application and Scheduling

  1. Application Form and Procedure     Any organization or group wishing to use the Library must complete the Application for Library Use and receive the approval of either the Library Director or designee, or the Trustees.  Reservations are not confirmed until the Application has been signed by either the Library Director or designee, or the Trustees, and returned to the organization or group Representative.
  2. Scheduling Procedure     All scheduling of Library facilities is made through the Library Director or designee. 
    • Requests for the Reading Room should be made at least two (2) weeks in advance.  Approval for use of the Reading Room will be considered as requested throughout the year, so long as Staff is available to be present for the meeting or program.
    • Requests for use of the entire facility should be made at least two (2) months in advance.  Only one (1) event per quarter will be scheduled in any fiscal year. 
    • Events may be scheduled only after Library hours. 
    • All Event participants must vacate the building by 10 p.m.
  3. Orientation     An on-site orientation on building use and care, and emergency procedures is required of the representatives of organizations or groups using the building and must be scheduled at least one (1) week before the Event.  Representatives should become familiar with the location of fire exits and options including fire stairs for use by disabled attendees, fire extinguishers, remote fire phones, manual pull stations, etc.  Representatives are encouraged during Event opening remarks to indicate exits and define emergency procedures.
  4. Cancellation     The Library reserves the right to cancel a scheduled and confirmed booking under extraordinary circumstances.  Cancellations by the Applicant(s) must be made 48 hours in advance.  Fees will be retained for cancellations received with less than 48 hours notice and for no-shows.  Exceptions will be made in the event of severe weather, or if unforeseeable circumstances acceptable to the Library Director or designee cause an Event to be cancelled less than 48 hours in advance of it.
  5. Capacity     The Library Director or designee reserves the right to match the anticipated attendance at an Event with the space that is most appropriate.
  6. Children’s Programs     All non-Library Events for groups of people under the age of 18 require the presence of a responsible adult at all times.  Parents of young children (seven years and younger) are encouraged to attend any program at which their child is present and, at a minimum, must remain in the building for the duration of the program and retrieve their child immediately at the conclusion of the program.

Use Fees     Use fees, subject to Trustee review and change, are based on space, time and personnel.  A Library Staff Member must be present in the building for each Event. 

    • The fee is $25.00 per hour for a meeting or program limited to the Reading Room. 
    • The fee is $50.00 per hour for an Event that includes use of the Second Floor and/or Mezzanine. 
    • An additional custodial fee or security deposit of $50.00 per hour may be charged for an Event where refreshments are offered.
    • Fees must be paid two (2) weeks in advance.

      The fee structure will be reviewed regularly by the Library Trustees. 

 

 

 

Rules and Conditions of Use

  1. The Library will be available for Events during after-hours only.  Events may be scheduled for set-up no sooner that 15 minutes after Library closing and must be concluded in time for the premises to be vacated no later than 10 p.m.
  2. Furniture shall be left in a neat and orderly condition.  Any furniture that has been moved must be restored to its original configuration.  Furniture may not be moved into or out of specific areas. 
  3. Clean-up and restoration of furniture to original arrangement must be accomplished in time for Library to be vacated no later than 10 p.m.
  4. Light refreshments may be served at the discretion of the Library Director or designee.  If permission granted, the organization or group is responsible for clean-up and removing all refreshments. 
  5. The Library does not provide plates, utensils, coffee makers, etc.
  6. Consumption of alcohol on Library premises, both indoors and on the grounds, is prohibited.
  7. Smoking is permitted out-of-doors at the Center Street Entrance only.
  8. Audio-video equipment may be used at the discretion of the Library Director or designee.
  9. The Library assumes no responsibility for any equipment, supplies, materials, clothing, or other items brought to the Library by any group or individual attending an Event.
  10. The Library assumes no responsibility or liability for accidents, injury or loss of individual property in the Provincetown Public Library.
  11. The Responsible Party designated on the Application Form by any organization or group shall be responsible for paying the cost of any damage or loss incurred by the Library by the actions of any member or guest of the organization or group during the course of an Event.  The Library will make all arrangements for repairs as appropriate.
  12. Nothing may be attached to walls, ceilings, doors or furniture in any part of the Library. 
  13. No signs, posters, displays, etc., promoting an event may be placed anywhere in the Library without the express approval of the Library Director or designee.
  14. Applicants using the Library may not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, creed, national origin, religious belief or handicap, against any person requesting admission to an Event, so long as that person is in agreement with and complies with the purpose and requirements of the event, e.g., pay an admission fee.
  15. Failure to abide by the policies and rules established above will result in suspension or termination of an organization or group’s privileges.

 

Waiver of Liability     All organizations or groups shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Provincetown Public Library, its Trustees and Staff, and the Town of Provincetown, its officers, agents and employees from and against any and all claims suits, actions of any kind, arising and resulting and accruing from any negligent act, omission or error of the organization or group resulting in or relating to personal injuries or property damage arising from the organization or group’s use of the Library.

 

All organizations or groups shall defend, at their sole cost and expense, any legal action, claim, or proceeding instituted by any person against the Town of Provincetown as a result of any claim, suit or cause of action accruing to the term of the Agreement for Use of the Library for injuries to body, life, limb or property as set forth above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All organizations or groups shall hold the Provincetown Public Library and the Town of Provincetown harmless from and against all judgment, orders, decrees, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses and liabilities incurred in and about any such claim investigation or defense thereof, which may be entered, incurred or assessed as a result of the foregoing.

 

The Board of Library Trustees of the Provincetown Public Library establishes the Policy regarding the use of Library facilities and is the sole authority in interpreting these regulations.  The Library Director has the supervisory responsibility delegated by the Trustees.

 

Any and all parts of this Policy may be revised, modified or amended by the Board of Library Trustees at any time.  Exceptions to the rules concerning the use of Library facilities can be made only by a vote of the Trustees.

 

 

 

Adopted by the Board of Library Trustees on April 25, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROVINCETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

356 Commercial Street

Provincetown, MA  02657           

508.487.7094

 

SPECIAL EVENT SCHEDULING REQUEST FORM

§         Please complete entire form.

§         Please provide a copy of your 501(c)(3) nonprofit Letter of Determination.

§         Return form to the Library Director at least two (2) weeks in advance of Event.

§         Your request will be scheduled upon written confirmation by Library Director.

 

Organization Name ___________________________________________________________________

Responsible Party’s Name _____________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________­­­   City/ST/Zip _________________________

Phones (day) _________________     (evening) _________________     (cell) ____________________

             (fax) ____________________________   Email ______________________________________

Applicant is a _____ 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization         _____ Provincetown Board/Committee

Event Date _____________   Alternate Date _____________   Approximate Attendance __________

Actual Time of Event ___________________________   Will refreshments be served? ___________

Is this a Fundraising Event? __________      If so, how much will each Guest pay? ______________

Purpose and Description of Proposed Use _______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________.

Indicate Space Requested _____________________________________________________________

 

I have read the attached “Community Special Event Policy”.  I understand the Policy and Procedures and, on behalf of the Applicant Organization, declare that we will abide with the requirements set forth.

 

We hold the Town of Provincetown, the Board of Library Trustees, Library Staff, and other parties concerned harmless from any and all liability, and will defend the Town of Provincetown, the Board of Library Trustees, Library Staff, and other parties concerned in connection herewith.

 

Signature of Applicant                                                                                                         Date

 

Approved by Board of Library Trustees                                                                Date