Alexandria Library Meeting Room Policy
Alexandria Library (the Library) offers meeting room space at the Beatley Central, Burke Branch and Duncan Branch Libraries. Please read and acknowledge this policy before you complete your reservation.
Eligibility:
To reserve a room, an applicant must have an active Alexandria Library adult card free of fees and blocks.
Applicants must reserve meeting room space using the Room Reservation System provided on the Library’s website.
Reservations:
Reservations are accepted up to three months in advance.
The Library will respond to your request as soon as possible and normally within three business days.
Reservations are limited to a maximum of one per seven day period and may be limited to no more than one per month at the Branch Manager's discretion to ensure equal access to space. Reservations can be made for up to 4 consecutive hours.
Meeting Room Regulations:
When not in use for library events or business, the Library’s meeting rooms are available to individuals and organizations for events of an educational, cultural or civic nature.
Library sponsored programs will receive first priority after which other applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. The Library reserves the right to cancel a meeting or reschedule if circumstances warrant, but will make every effort to accommodate groups or make alternative arrangements.
The fact that a group is permitted to meet at the Library does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs. Advertisements or announcements by any group implying such endorsement are not permitted.
Groups promoting non-library programs may include the Library’s name and address but not the Library’s telephone number. Advertisements cannot suggest Library sponsorship of the organization’s program or contain the Library’s logo.
The Library is not responsible for taking registrations for events.
Rooms may not be used for personal or commercial interests, including paid tutoring, or electioneering. No fees can be charged to attendees and suggested donations are prohibited.
No financial transactions may take place in the rooms or the Library, with the exception of sales by or through The Friends of the Alexandria Library or sponsored by the Alexandria Library Board or Alexandria Library Foundation.
No private parties are allowed in Library meeting rooms. This includes showers, receptions, birthday parties and purely social gatherings.
Groups must check-in and check-out with staff.
Rooms are held for 30 minutes after the scheduled reservation start time and then are considered unclaimed and will be made available to others.
An attendance count must be reported to staff during or immediately following the reservation.
No petitions may be circulated in library buildings.
Nothing may be attached to the walls or ceilings.
Rooms may not be locked while in use, nor can groups deny Library staff members entrance to the room at any time during their reservation.
Groups must vacate the room promptly at the end of their reservation. Groups that stay longer than their scheduled reservation will be charged additional fees.
Customer Responsibilities:
Users of the Alexandria Library meeting rooms must comply with the Rules Governing Use of the Alexandria Library and City of Alexandria, Administrative Regulations, 7-21, Prohibited Conduct and Behavior in City Facilities.
Groups with members under the age of 18 years must have one adult sponsor present at all times and children must be under direct supervision.
Group members are asked to leave the meeting room quietly to minimize disruptions for other customers.
Groups are responsible for room set-up and for leaving spaces clean, neat and orderly. Groups are responsible for any damage to or loss of library property.
Groups must agree to provide any accommodations that are requested in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Rooms and Hours Available:
Rooms are available from opening until one hour prior to closing.
Room Capacities:
- Beatley Large Meeting Room: 150 maximum capacity
- Beatley Small Conference Room: 10 maximum capacity
- Burke Meeting Room: 90 maximum capacity
- Duncan Meeting Room: 70 maximum capacity
The capacity of each room is determined by fire regulations and must not be exceeded.
Rental Fees:
Meeting Room $25 per hour
Conference Room (Beatley only) $10 per hour
*Requests made less than three days in advance will be charged an additional $5.00 per hour.
Payment:
Rooms are free of charge for individuals, governmental, and non-profit groups. For-profit organizations will be charged a modest fee for use of the room.
All required fees must be paid in-person on the day of your reservation before it begins. Fees are charged by the hour with half hours pro-rated.
Meeting Room Equipment, Food, Drink:
Contact the individual branch for details regarding available equipment. Library staff cannot provide IT support during meetings or programs.
The Library is not responsible for interruptions to the wireless connection.
The Library is not responsible for a user’s equipment or materials.
Covered drinks are allowed, but food is not permitted. Alcohol is prohibited on Library property.
Meeting Room Cancellations:
Reservations can be managed online and may be cancelled at any time up to seven days prior to room use.
Contact the individual branch to cancel within seven days of the reservation.
Groups are responsible for contacting the Library during inclement weather to determine if the Library will remain open. The Library posts closures on its phone lines, website and social media pages.
Failure to notify the Library of cancellations may result in denial of future reservations.
The Library reserves the right to cancel a meeting or reschedule if circumstances warrant.
Parking:
Parking is limited at the Libraries and carpooling is encouraged.
Failure to observe these regulations may result in expulsion and denial of future reservation requests. The Library reserves the right to amend the meeting room policy as needed.
Revised August 2024
