The LaGrange County Public Library system is very proud to have available community rooms for the public to use. The community rooms are available on equal terms to all groups in the county, regardless of the individual beliefs and affiliations of their members. The facilities are available to non-profit county, civic, educational, informational, recreational, and cultural organizations without charge. The following rules and procedures apply to the community rooms in the LaGrange Library, the community room at the Topeka Branch, and the community room at the Shipshewana Branch:
- Groups cannot use the room more than one day per week and only twice a month, unless approved by the director. The community room is not available on Sunday or holidays unless approved by the director. Out of county groups cannot use the room without the director’s approval.
- Granting permission to use the library facilities does not constitute an endorsement by the library staff or library board of the users or their beliefs and any misrepresentation of this fact will result in the loss of library use privileges for the offending group. Use of the premises may be terminated at any time if the conduct of the group, or any member of the group, is disruptive to library service, abusive, or dangerous to the building, library materials, exhibits, furnishings, or individuals in the building. Any group or individual who advertises an event to be held at the Community Room is required to include the following disclaimer in their advertisements:
- DISCLAIMER: Granting permission to use the library facilities does not constitute an endorsement by the library staff or library board of the users or their beliefs.
- Since library-sponsored events take precedence, events scheduled in the Community Room may be cancelled if the room is needed for a library event. This will be done at least 4 weeks prior to the scheduled event, and library staff will contact the group representative.
- Reservation requests may be made in person or via telephone. No reservation will be finalized without a signed Community Room Agreement Form and payment of the required deposit. Any library equipment needed should be reserved when reserving the room.
- Groups using the Community Room will be expected to arrange the chairs and tables to suit their own needs. Library staff will not set-up the room. Following the meeting, all chairs must be stacked, tables wiped off and folded down, food and beverages removed, spills cleaned, trash removed to dumpster, foyer and bathrooms picked up.
- A normal noise level and appropriate conduct will be expected of groups utilizing the facility. Parents/guardians are responsible for providing supervision for children before, during, and after any functions.
- Each entity that reserves library space assumes full responsibility for compliance with this policy and for any damage incurred resulting from the use of the facilities. Abuse of the facilities, or violation of this policy will be sufficient cause to deny further use and will result in forfeiture of the $50 security deposit.
- The library does not assume any responsibility for the security of personal items.
- No smoking is allowed.
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed.
- All spills and accidents must be immediately cleaned.
- Kitchenette and appliances are available but must be cleaned thoroughly after use. Groups must bring their own supplies (food, tableware, flatware, dish cloths, towels, etc.).
- The party responsible for the event must take the trash with him/her when leaving. If more than on bag of trash is left in the Community Room after an event, $25 of the security deposit will be deducted to cover the cost.
Fees. Fees for the use of the Community Room are as follows:
- Non-profit organizations- no fee, $75 security deposit required
- For-profit organizations- $50 fee (plus sales tax of $3.50), $75 security deposit required
- Policy violations/damages- $75 minimum up to cost of damages and “not in good standing” status which may prevent future Community Room use.
- Security Deposit- the security deposit will be returned in full after the event it the conditions of this policy have been met
Keys. Keys will open the interior door, both exterior doors, and the cleaning closet located between the men’s and women’s restrooms. Keys are made available when the Community Room is in use after regular library hours. Failure to return a key will result in the need to re-key the entire area. The cost of this procedure will be passed on the person who signed for the Community Room.
There may be differences in rules and regulations for each of the three community rooms. Please download the agreements and application forms for the LaGrange community room, Shipshewana community room, or Topeka community room. Thank you!
