Meeting Rooms | Lincoln City Libraries

Lincoln City Libraries, in response to the needs of community residents, provides meeting areas in the Library for public use on a request basis. The ultimate goal of providing for public meeting space within the Library is to recognize the available library materials, resources, and services within the Library and to promote awareness in the community that the Library is an active informational and educational service of the local government.

Library programming is an important aspect of the Library’s service to the community; therefore, Library needs will take precedence over public use of the meeting areas. The Library reserves the right to cancel reservations for meeting rooms if the space is needed for library activities.

General Information

Who can use the meeting rooms?
Meeting rooms may be used by local groups and organizations for educational, civic, and cultural purposes. Meeting rooms are open to all groups in the community regardless of the beliefs and affiliations of their members. The meeting rooms may be used when one individual tutors another in literacy skills.

To arrange a meeting
Contact the Administration Office at Bennett Martin Library (402-441-8503) to book a meeting or obtain information about the meeting rooms. Library-sponsored events have first priority for use of library facilities. Advance scheduling and approval by the library is required. At least five business days prior to the event, the application is to be filled out along with payment for the applicable fees. Applications must be approved by the library, the booking confirmed, and all fees paid before the group can use the meeting room. Bookings may be made up to one year in advance for non-profit groups and up to thirty days in advance for for-profit groups.

To cancel a meeting
Groups cancelling a meeting booking must report the cancellation to the Administration Office (402-441-8503). The application form signed by the group representative constitutes an agreement that a meeting will take place. If a meeting is cancelled, the library must be notified as soon as possible so the space is available to others. If the group has paid a fee, the fee is forfeited if the cancellation occurs five business days or less from the meeting date.

Food/Refreshments
Light refreshments (snacks) may be served by a group. Meals may not be served. Beverages may be served. Groups must provide their own coffee makers, cups, and any other equipment or supplies. Groups are expected to leave the room clean for the next users. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted in the library.

Library Furnishings and Equipment
All meeting rooms are supplied with chairs and tables. Setting up and taking down folding tables and stacking chairs is the responsibility of the group using the room. The meeting room must be left in good condition. The person who signs the facility use agreement is held responsible for damages or cleanup requiring custodial service. The library does not assume responsibility for damaged, lost or stolen property of users of the meeting rooms. Library equipment must be reserved in advance. The group must provide supplies such as marker pens, flip chart paper, etc. WiFi access is generally available but cannot be guaranteed.

Equipment Storage
Storage is not provided for equipment owned by groups using the meeting rooms. Groups using their own equipment must remove that equipment after each meeting.

Fees

Use
There is no fee for government agencies or non-profit groups for use of the meeting rooms during regular service hours of the library building in which the room is located. All other groups may reserve meeting rooms for a fee of $10.00 per hour or fraction thereof.

All meeting rooms must be cleared and attendees must be out of the building by closing time. Users violating this policy will be assessed a charge to compensate for staff overtime. The group will be held accountable for damages to the room or equipment. Repair and/or replacement costs associated with any such damage will be charged to the person who signs the facility use agreement.

Meeting Room Locations and Capacities

Capacities listed are with chairs only. If tables are needed, capacity is reduced by about 50%.

Bennett Martin Public Library
136 South 14th Street
Auditorium: 100
Conference Room: 39

Anderson Branch
3635 Touzalin Avenue
Meeting Room: 60

Eiseley Branch
1530 Superior Street
Room 1: 70
Room 2: 40
Combined rooms: 100

Gere Branch
2400 South 56th Street
Room 1: 70
Room 2: 40
Combined rooms: 100

Walt Branch
6701 South 14th Street
Room 1: 70
Room 2: 40
Combined rooms: 100

Williams Branch
4900 Mike Scholl Street (NW 48th & W. Cuming Streets, in the Air Park Community Center): 25

Meeting Room Rules

If you agree to the following rules of use, please continue to the Meeting Room Application Form.

All meetings conducted by groups using meeting rooms for activities not related or sponsored by Lincoln City Libraries shall observe the following rules and such other rules as may be adopted by the Library Board from time to time and published. The library reserves the right to deny the use of the meeting rooms to any party not complying with the rules in effect at the time of request or violation. The library reserves the right to interrupt or cancel any meeting that interferes with routine library operations.

Groups must be authorized to use library meeting rooms by the Library Director via completion of meeting room application form. The person responsible for the meeting and signing the use form must have a valid Lincoln City Libraries card in good standing.
Groups authorized to use library meeting rooms must provide information and program services to all persons without regard to race, age, color, national origin, religion, gender, or physical challenges.
Meetings must be open to the public. Public attendance cannot be restricted through tuition or admission/registration fees. Libraries and their associated organizations and governmental agencies may use the meeting rooms for training and may charge a fee to recoup expenses.
Use of the meeting rooms for political campaigning is not permitted.
Meetings involving the sale, advertisement or promotion of commercial products or services or the solicitation for the future sale of commercial products, are prohibited.
Fundraising events or solicitation of any kind are not permitted unless sponsored by the Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries or any agency of the City of Lincoln or Lancaster County.
All users of the meeting rooms must conduct themselves in an orderly manner and observe Library Rules & Behavior Policy.
Approval to use library meeting rooms is not transferable to another person or group.
Groups must not exceed the legal posted capacity of the meeting room as determined by the Bureau of Fire Prevention or Directed Health Measures in force at time of use.
Meetings need to end soon enough to ensure that rooms are vacated prior to the time that the library closes to the public. A fee will be assessed if the room is not vacated prior to closing time.
No user of the meeting room is to imply in any way or represent that their activity is sponsored by Lincoln City Libraries. No publicity in connection with any meeting to be held at the Library is to make reference to the Library except to designate meeting location.
The applicant and any agents, members, participants, and invitees shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless City, its officers, agents, and employees from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, arising out of or resulting from this application or use that results in any claim for damage whatsoever, including without limitation, any bodily injury, sickness, disease, death, or any injury to or destruction of tangible or intangible property, including any loss of use resulting therefrom that is caused in whole or in part by the intentional or negligent act or omission of the applicant, owner, or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable. This indemnification shall not include damages or injuries to the City, its officers, agents, and employees caused solely by the negligence of the City, its officers, agents, and employees.
The applicant and any agents, members, participants, and invitees shall fully comply with these Rules for the application, as well as all applicable statutes, municipal ordinances, rules, and regulations. Failure to fully comply as set forth therein may result in immediate termination of the use.