• For a purely social purpose, unless library sponsored.

• For solicitation by outside organizations.

• For religious or anti-religious purposes.

• For partisan political purposes.

• For any use for which Southern Lehigh Public Library elects not to permit.

• This includes not-for-profit community groups and businesses who would like to rent meeting room space to conduct their own organization’s meetings, events, and/or activities that may or may not be open to the public and may or may not support the mission of the library.

• Story Hour Center (Single meeting room; 19.5’ x 27’) – Maximum Occupancy – 82 persons - $10.00
• Community Meeting Room (Single meeting room; 19.5’ x 21’) – Maximum Occupancy – 60 persons - $10.00
• Double-sized meeting room (folding partition opened to combine Story Hour Center and Community Meeting Room into one space) - Maximum Occupancy - 142 persons - $20.00
• Kitchen privileges – no additional charge
• These fees may be waived at the Southern Lehigh Public Library’s discretion.
• Any use of the meeting rooms over 4 hours will incur an additional cost of $10.00 per room, per hour, and must be arranged in advance. If the extension is after closing, the additional cost is $25.00 and depends on staff availability.
• Payment of rental fee and proof of insurance must accompany signed application.
• Limited advertising may be provided in the library’s quarterly newsletter, in a section designated for that purpose, provided the meeting room rental agreement has been confirmed by the library prior to print deadlines and there is space available. Not-for-Profit organizations may post a flyer advertising their event on the Community Bulletin Board in the library’s lobby, but must follow the Bulletin Board Policy posted.
• The library is not responsible for registering participants for the scheduled event(s) and will not accept any participation fees that may be associated. That is the responsibility of the sponsoring organization or business.

• This includes community groups or for profit businesses who would like to rent meeting room space for the purpose of providing a series of three (3) or more educational classes that support the mission of the library and are open to the general public. It is understood that the community group or small business may choose to charge a fee to the public for attendance at the classes.
• Story Hour Center (Single meeting room; 19.5’ x 27’) – Maximum Occupancy – 82 persons - $20.00
• Community Meeting Room (Single meeting room; 19.5’ x 21’) – Maximum Occupancy – 60 persons - $20.00
• Double-sized meeting room (folding partition opened to combine Story Hour Center and Community Meeting Room into one space) - Maximum Occupancy - 142 persons - $40.00
• Kitchen privileges – no additional charge
• These fees may be waived at the Southern Lehigh Public Library’s discretion.
• Any use of the meeting rooms over 4 hours will incur an additional cost of $10.00 per room, per hour, and must be arranged in advance. If the extension is after closing, the additional cost is $25.00 and depends on staff availability.
• Payment of rental fee and proof of insurance must accompany signed application.
• Limited advertising may be provided in the library’s quarterly newsletter, in a section designated for that purpose, provided the meeting room rental agreement has been confirmed by the library prior to print deadlines and there is space available. Community groups or for profit businesses offering educational classes may post a flyer advertising their classes on the Community Bulletin Board in the library’s lobby, but must follow the Bulletin Board Policy posted.
• The library is not responsible for registering participants for the scheduled event(s) and will not accept any participation fees that may be associated. That is the responsibility of the sponsoring organization or business.

• This includes community groups or for profit businesses who would like to rent meeting room space to conduct their own organization’s meetings, events, and/or activities that may or may not be open to the public and may or may not support the mission of the library.

• Story Hour Center (Single meeting room; 19.5’ x 27’) – Maximum Occupancy – 82 persons - $50.00
• Community Meeting Room (Single meeting room; 19.5’ x 21’) – Maximum Occupancy – 60 persons - $50.00
• Double-sized meeting room (folding partition opened to combine Story Hour Center and Community Meeting Room into one space) - Maximum Occupancy - 142 persons - $100.00

• Kitchen privileges – an additional $15.00
• These fees may be waived at the Southern Lehigh Public Library’s discretion.
• Any use of the meeting rooms over 4 hours will incur an additional cost of $10.00 per room, per hour, and must be arranged in advance. If the extension is after closing, the additional cost is $25.00 and depends on staff availability.
• Payment of rental fee and proof of insurance must accompany signed application.
• Limited advertising may be provided in the library’s quarterly newsletter, in a section designated for that purpose, provided the meeting room rental agreement has been confirmed by the library prior to print deadlines and there is space available. For profit businesses may post a 3”x5” flyer advertising their event and/or business on the Business Bulletin Board in the library’s lobby and must follow the Bulletin Board Policy posted.
• The library is not responsible for registering participants for the scheduled event(s) and will not accept any participation fees that may be associated. That is the responsibility of the sponsoring organization or business.

• Smoking, controlled substances or gambling is not permitted.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited except for library sponsored functions.
• The library staff will provide and/or set-up necessary equipment, including chairs, tables, large-screen TV, CD/DVD player, wireless Internet connection, white board and markers. Please provide information regarding equipment needs and room configuration on the Meeting Room Reservation form.
• The meeting rooms/kitchen must be left in a clean and orderly condition. Waste should be placed in the proper receptacles. The group using the room(s) is responsible for clean up and must leave the room(s) in exactly the way that they found them. The library reserves the right to charge a fee if facilities must be cleaned. No custodial service is available.
• The library staff is NOT at the disposal of the group. It is the responsibility of the applicant and/or the group to provide any necessary equipment if it is not available in the meeting rooms.
• No storage of the organization’s items is available before or after the meeting, except at the discretion of the Library Director.
• To promote accessibility of the public meeting rooms for library events as well as to a wide variety of community groups, the library may limit meetings for any and/or all groups.
• Nothing may be attached to the walls, ceiling, floor, furniture, or accordion sliding room divider.
• Meetings may not extend beyond the library’s closing time. Special arrangements can be made for groups to use the library’s meeting rooms during hours that the library is closed with 14 days notice if staff is available. The additional cost is $25.00 per hour or part of an hour.
• Lighted candles or flames, because of fire hazard, are not to be used within the meeting rooms with the exception of Sterno used by caterers.
• All equipment belonging to the group must be removed immediately at the conclusion of the program or event.
• In the event that the library closes due to an emergency or inclement weather, use of the meeting room(s) is automatically cancelled and the rental fees will be reimbursed. The renting organization’s contact person will be notified by the library. It is the responsibility of the organization to notify attendees of the cancellation.
• If the renting organization cancels its event or meeting, they must notify the library one (1) week in advance in order to receive reimbursement of rental fees.
• The library reserves the right to cancel any function due to natural disaster, power failure, weather or other unforeseen circumstances. The Library will not be held responsible for any cost(s) incurred as a result of such cancellations.
• Failure to comply with this policy may result in denial of future use of the library meeting rooms, financial liability for damages, and/or removal from the meeting room.
• Meeting room attendees may not leave children unattended in the library.
• Group leader must be familiar with emergency rules.
• The fact that a group is permitted to meet in the library’s public meeting rooms does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs. The Southern Lehigh Public Library reserves the right to require that any public advertising of meeting(s) include the following statement: “The views of this program are not necessarily endorsed by SLPL.” The library’s phone and/or fax #s and e-mail address are not to be included in any publicity that advertises the meeting unless the program is co-sponsored by the library.

• A signed Meeting Room Reservation Form needs to be completed and submitted no later than 14 days in advance of the meeting.
• The application form must be signed by an authorized representative of the group who shall attend the meeting and be responsible for the conduct of the meeting attendees and for any damages.
• Each application will be reviewed and the contact person will receive confirmation. The meeting rooms will not be considered scheduled until confirmation is sent.
• The group must furnish adequate insurance for bodily injury and property damage. Insurance certificate must indicate that Southern Lehigh Public Library is named as additional insured on the policy and include a hold harmless agreement from presenter. Any exceptions must be cleared with the Library Director and/or the Library Board of Directors.The certificate of insurance should display limits of at least $500,000 each occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate, and list Southern Lehigh Public Library, its board members, employees, and volunteers as additional insureds.

• Patrons should be aware that the Internet contains offensive material. In compliance with the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (Public Law 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763A-335), our library has installed filtering software on all library computers that may help to block offensive material. Should you experience difficulty in obtaining information for a legitimate research project, please see a staff person for assistance.
• The Internet is a vast worldwide network with very few limitations. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Southern Lehigh Public Library is not responsible for any information obtained on the Internet. Use is at the patron’s risk.
• Any attempt to harm or destroy data is prohibited. This includes the uploading or creating of computer viruses. Users may not turn equipment on and off, change any settings, or load personal programs into computers. Any damage done is the financial responsibility of the patron. If difficulties are experienced in the use of the computer, please ask staff for assistance.
• The library’s computers are not available for commercial or business use.
• Southern Lehigh Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of the Internet. This includes any viruses that may be transmitted via downloaded files.
• The computer workstations may be used to access information via the online catalog, subscription databases or World Wide Web, access E-mail accounts, and create documents using Microsoft Office software. The use of chat rooms is prohibited.

• Patrons aged 18 years and older may use any of the computer stations, but are encouraged to use the stations located in the main adult section of the library. Patrons 17 years and younger are encouraged to use computer stations in the Children’s Center or Young Adult Room.
• Parents or guardians, not the library staff, are responsible for the Internet information accessed by their children. Parents and guardians may restrict their children from Internet resources.
• It is a felony offense in the state of Pennsylvania “to display or cause to display any explicit sexual material…on any…viewing screen in such a manner that the display is visible…in any establishment where minors, as part of the general public, may be exposed to view all or any part of such materials.” (Title 18 Penna. Crime Code - sect. 5903). Sexually explicit material may be offensive to patrons of any age and access will not be permitted by Southern Lehigh Public Library.
• It is recommended that for users’ own security, personal information such as addresses, telephone numbers, credit card numbers, etc., not be placed on the Internet. Southern Lehigh Public Library cannot guarantee personal security.
• In fairness to all our patrons, the library has set time limits on the use of the Internet/Online Catalog. Patrons may use the computer stations for up to one hour in the adult section of the library and up to 30 minutes in the Children’s Center and Young Room on a first come-first serve basis. Exceptions for more time may be made if there is no one waiting and if the patron is pursuing a lengthy project. This decision will be based on the library staff’s observations of computer usage and type of project.
• Patrons may not use or install their own software. If patrons should wish to download information to a disk they may purchase blank disks at the Circulation Desk. Blank disks will be sold for $1.00 and may be brought into the library and re-used at any time or stored at the library for a period of 30 days and re-used at any time during that period. Disks left for longer than 30 days will be discarded. Patrons may bring in their own disks or USB drives to upload or download information. Patrons should check information at home for viruses that may have been transferred. The library can not be held responsible for damage to a patron’s disk, USB drive or computer, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from patron’s use of the library’s computers. Copyrighted material may be used, copied, or downloaded only in accordance with copyright laws.
• The library’s computers are equipped with print control software. Patrons may send documents to both the black/white printer and color printer at a cost of $.10/page or $.50/page respectively. Patrons should follow the onscreen prompts and go to the Circulation Desk to claim their print jobs. Payment is required at the time of printing.

• As with all other procedures, the library staff will be available to assist patrons in their use of the computers. However, staff members and volunteers may not be familiar with every application patrons may wish to use. Because of the many applications available, the library cannot provide complete technical support.
• Southern Lehigh Public Library reserves the right to terminate an individual’s computer time if their behavior is deemed inappropriate.
• Failure to comply with Southern Lehigh Public Library’s Computer Workstation Policy may result in a loss of computer privileges.
• Southern Lehigh Public Library reserves the right to vary these policies or to establish additional policies if it is found necessary to regulate access or prevent misuse.
• Although capped and/or lidded drinks are permitted in the library, they are forbidden at the computer workstations.

Unattended Children Policy

The Southern Lehigh Public Library is a public facility that offers services to a wide range of citizens, and children are especially welcome. The library staff has a responsibility to provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for every patron who is appropriately using its services and facilities. Children and young people are expected to adhere to the same standards of patron conduct expected of adults. While in the library parents, guardians, or assigned chaperones and caregivers are responsible for monitoring and regulating the behavior of their children.

For the safety and comfort of children, a responsible adult or caregiver should accompany children while using the library.

Staff members are available to help and support children; however, they are not able to provide short-term or long-term child care, or be responsible for unattended children.

Unattended children are children of any age who are apparently unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, and/or responsible caregiver. Children age 10 and under, or those who are unable or unwilling to care for themselves may not be left alone and must have adequate supervision while in the library. The library staff is not responsible if children leave the library property unattended.

REGULATIONS:

• Caregivers of preschool-age children attending library programs should remain in the library building during the program.

• Caregivers may not leave children age 8 years or younger out of their line of vision and are responsible for their children’s behavior while in the library. Examples of unacceptable behavior include:
• Behavior that the staff determines to be disruptive to other library users, other staff, or the normal operations of library business.
• Behavior that the staff determines to be potentially harmful to the health or safety of the child and/or others.
• Improper use of the library’s computers that the staff determines to be potentially harmful to the equipment.
• The library staff will make every effort not to touch a child that is displaying unacceptable behavior, but will make an announcement that the parent should immediately come to the circulation desk to handle the situation.
• If a child is left unattended in the library, the staff will attempt to locate his/her parents/caregivers. Children who have not been picked up at closing time will be given the opportunity to call a parent. Under no circumstances will staff transport children in a vehicle or accompany them home. For the safety of the child, the staff will not leave a child age 14 and under outside to wait for a ride. If a parent cannot be reached, a staff member will wait with the child for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes the police will be called to escort the child home or keep the child until the parents can be reached.
• If it is necessary for staff to call the police, the following steps will be taken:
• The Director will be notified that the police have been called.
• A note for parents or caregivers will be left on the library door stating “Unattended child is in the custody of the Upper Saucon Township Police, 5500 Camp Meeting Road, Center Valley, PA; 610-282-3064.” The child’s name will not be stated on the sign.

Once the child is in the custody of the Upper Saucon Township Police Department, the police officers determine what steps should be taken. The library staff no longer has any jurisdiction.

• All situations involving unacceptable behavior will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

This policy adopted by Southern Lehigh Public Library Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled Board meeting on January 16, 2007.