Policies and Procedures for the Blair Public Library & Technology Center and Reserving and Rental of the Meeting Room Facilities
The Blair Public Library and Technology Center meeting rooms are available to the public on an equitable basis and the library does not discriminate our rentals based on beliefs or affiliations of groups requesting to use the room. The library in no way, advocates or endorses any viewpoints expressed in the meetings by meeting room users.
Meeting Room Booking Priority is as follows:
- Blair Public Library and Technology Center Sponsored Events
a. In special circumstances presenters may request to sell related products or events.
These requests must be approved by library staff. - City of Blair, Washington County, Blair Community Schools, and other government
agencies - Groups that are using or sponsoring the use of BPLTC materials or events
a. This includes but is not limited to: The Friends of the Blair Public Library and
Technology Center, The Blair Public Library and Technology Center Library
Foundation, the Genealogy Society, and library sponsored book clubs. - All other groups
Smoking, using drugs, or serving alcoholic beverages is not permitted.
Reservations shall be limited to 90 days in advance, except for the use by the Library or by the City of Blair. Reservations will not be made on Sundays or on city holidays. The library reserves the right to revoke permission to use any meeting room to any individual, group, or organization which violates or refuses to comply with the rules and regulations established for use of the meeting rooms.
Tentative reservations may be made by telephone, however, completed paperwork and payment must be made within 3 days, otherwise the reservation is subject to cancellation. Room Applications must be completed and signed by the person requesting use of the meeting room at least 3 days in advance of the meeting room use. Meeting Room Applications must be approved by the Library Staff before a meeting room may be used.
Any group or individual renting the meeting room must be a legal adult (19+ years) and must have a legal adult (19+ years) present during the entirety of the rental period.
General Guidelines:
- Reservations are made by contacting the library at 402-426-3617. Events may be
scheduled up to 90 days in advance. Reservations must be made at least three days in
advance. - Organizations must use “2233 Civic Drive, Blair, NE 68008” as the address for their
event. Do not use “Blair Public Library and Technology Center” on any promotional
material that is created for an event. - Group members are responsible for the set up and tear down of furniture and equipment for
each function. Library staff may be consulted for questions or assistance locating what is
needed for the meeting. - Neither the library nor its employees shall assume responsibility for any property of
groups, individuals or organizations. The library will not store any property before
meetings, and at the end of any meeting, an organization’s property must be removed
from the library. - Groups may arrange to use library audio/visual equipment as needed. Appointments
are available from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff cannot
guarantee that personal electronic items will work with library audio/visual
equipment. - The meeting room capacity may not exceed the capacity set by the Fire
Marshall. Please inquire with library staff for acceptable capacity. - The warming kitchen is available for use by all rooms. If more than one group
requires use of the kitchen you will be required to share. Do not leave belongings in
the kitchen. Please keep all food and drinks inside the meeting space. Any food left in
the kitchen after a rental will be thrown away. - All meetings must begin and end as scheduled.
- No more than 2 reservations may be made in any 4 week period.
- Any group found to have not secured the library / meeting room doors after their
reservation may face actions including and up to loss of the cleaning deposit, charges
for damages incurred, and/or being banned from using the rooms in the future.
If any group loses a key to the library their $75.00 cleaning deposit will be forfeited.
Library Fees and Charges
Failure to pay the rental fee and deposit in advance may lead to forfeiture of reservation. All rental fees shall be forfeited, unless canceled at least 24 hours in advance of the reservation date. Required deposit(s) shall be returned unless Key is not returned by the start of the first business day following the rental or if the facility is not cleaned up.
Rental Fees:
All groups wanting to use the meeting room, regardless of status, shall be required to submit a $75 cleaning deposit. There is no fee for non-profit groups (defined as a group with 501(c)(3) status) and government agencies (such as City or County Administration). Groups using a nonprofit status must provide a copy of their 501 (c)(3) letter with their room rental paperwork.
Groups, regardless of status, who are participating in the following activities will be charged a room rental fee of $25:
- Raising money
- Commercial purposes
- Private individuals’ or commercial concerns’ benefit
- Private social gatherings
- Groups whose meetings are closed to the general public
- Meetings for which tuition, membership fees, or other fees are charged or may be
recouped through sales or commissions at a later date
Genealogy Room and Study Rooms:
Study rooms are intended for use by individuals or small groups seeking a quiet study area. They are not additional meeting rooms and will not be reserved. Study room use is limited to a 2-hour limit per day. Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis (for example: taking a test, having a job interview, etc.)
The Genealogy Room is a public space and will not be reserved or closed off to members of the public. Patrons and staff can enter and exit the space at any time. Groups choosing to meet in the room are required to vacate the public space at closing time, no exceptions will be permitted. Food and drink are not permitted in the Genealogy Room.
Download our Meeting Room Registration Form HERE