Wiggin Memorial Library

Meeting and Display Policy

 

 

A.    Meeting Space

The library uses the meeting space of the municipal center in addition to space within the library.  Any meeting rooms outside the confines of the library must be reserved through the town administration office and are subject to the administration office’s rules.  Library sponsored meetings held within the library will be free and open to the public and will not be subject to all of the same rules as non-library sponsored meetings.  Meetings held within the library and not sponsored by the library are subject to these rules:

 

1.    Meeting space within the library is available to non-profit educational, cultural, intellectual, community (Stratham), and charitable organizations.  Meetings in the library must be free of charge and open to the public. 

 

2.    Individual tutoring sessions which take place in library space may be private but must be free of charge for attendees. 

 

3.    Persons meeting in the library are subject to all rules and regulations of the library.  Programs may not disrupt normal library business.  Attendees will supervise and be responsible for children inside and outside the library.

 

4.    Profit-making companies or individuals are not allowed to reserve library space, but such groups may be contracted by the library to present a library-sponsored informational program.  In such cases, the company must offer its information in an educational presentation.  No brand names or company services may be promoted, though a display may be set up for the duration of the program.

 

5.    The library recognizes the rights of free speech and free assembly as well as its obligation to prevent obstacles to normal library use.  Granting of permission to use library facilities does not constitute an endorsement by the library staff or Board of Trustees of the users or their beliefs.  Any advertisement, notice, or signage must indicate that use of the library does not constitute an endorsement by the library.  A statement to that effect will be provided by the library to the meeting’s sponsor.  No group will imply in its advertising that the library has sponsored or supported its meeting or group unless the Board of Trustees gives written permission. 

 

6.    Requests for meeting space in the library will be sent to the Library director, or the Assistant Director in the director’s absence.  Library programs will be given priority and all other reservations will be on a first come, first served basis.  The Library reserves the right to deny use of library space based on consideration of the impact on regular library business.

 

7.    Persons meeting in the library are responsible for returning furniture, etc. to its original placement and leaving the space in the condition in which it was found.  Any damage done to the inside or outside of the library or its contents during or as a result of the meeting will be assessed to the meeting’s sponsor. 

 

8.    Groups will meet during regular operating hours unless otherwise approved by the library director or Board of Trustees.  Groups will be ready to leave at least ten (10) minutes before the library closes.

 

9.    Occupancy of library space is limited to the Fire Chief’s safety limit.

 

B.   Displays and Exhibits

The library is a public forum for ideas and information.  Displays and/or exhibits which support this role will be allowed under the following conditions:

1.    Either the library director or the Board of Trustees may deny a request if the library’s space is insufficient or the display is likely to physically hinder the regular operations of the library.

2.    The library will not incur any financial responsibility for materials displayed, nor will it carry insurance to cover theft, loss or damage.

3.    No display or exhibit may violate any local, state or federal laws.

4.    No organization or individual will be permitted to place in the library any receptacle, which solicits donations unless approved by the librarian as a project, which supports the library’s mission, goals, and/or programs.

5.    Granting of permission for displays and/or exhibits in the library does not constitute an endorsement by the library staff or Board of Trustees of the display or exhibit or its content.  If endorsement is in any way implied in the display or exhibit, permission may be denied. 

 

C.   Bulletin Boards

The library bulletin boards are meant to be a forum for the dissemination of information to the public.  Some are restricted to library postings while others display community or for-profit information.  The library will post all submitted announcements regarding official town board meetings in accordance with state law.  All other requests to post material will be honored under the following conditions:

1.    All requests must be made in person to a staff member.  Any material posted directly to a bulletin board will be removed.

2.    The library may remove a posting seven (7) days after posting or after the date of an event displayed on the posting.

3.    The library director shall have the right to limit submissions to a single, 8 ˝” x 11” sheet of paper per person or organization at any given time.

4.    Any materials advocating the election of a specific candidate, the furthering of a specific political issue or agenda, or the furthering of a specific religious group, program or world-view will not be displayed on the bulletin board(s).  This does not apply to announcements of events by such persons or groups.

5.    All submissions must comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

6.    Library and Town of Stratham postings take priority at all times.

 

 

 

 

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to revoke meeting space, display and/or exhibit space, and bulletin board posting privileges at any time and to change or amend the provisions of this policy.

 

 

Revised 2007

 

 


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