FOUNTAINDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY STUDY ROOM POLICY

The Fountaindale Public Library district provides study rooms to serve the needs of the Library and the Fountaindale community. Use of the study rooms is governed by the policy established by the Library Board of Trustees and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the Library. The Library Director as the executor of the policy for the Board of Trustees has discretion in determining what use is “in the best interest of the Library” and is authorized to act accordingly, including limiting the use of the study rooms by individuals whose activities interfere with Library operations, adversely affect public safety, or cause public disturbances. The Board of Trustees may modify, amend or supplement this policy, as it deems necessary and appropriate.

PRIORITY FOR USE
Study rooms are available in two hour intervals on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. Extra time allotted for study room sessions will be accommodated if there are no reservations made on the room within the next half hour. Those who have been allotted additional time in study rooms beyond the two hour limit will be asked to vacate if all study rooms are filled and a new party wishes to utilize a room.

Study rooms may be reserved for tutoring purposes in accordance with the Library’s Tutoring Policy.

LIMITS OF USE
Individuals 5th grade and under must be accompanied by a caregiver or tutor at least 18 years of age.

Each group study room has a capacity of four people.

There is no guarantee of a silent atmosphere inside each study room due to their proximity to one another; however, users of each study room are asked to be respectful of other patrons in adjacent study rooms and of the Library’s conduct policy regarding noise.

Two study rooms on the third floor of the Library will be made available by reservation in accordance with the Library’s tutoring policy from Monday through Friday between the hours of 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm during the school year (September through May) and between the hours of 9:00 am and 8:00 pm during the summer (June through August). No tutoring reservations will be accepted for Saturdays and Sundays.

REQUESTING A ROOM
Individuals 6th grade and older are encouraged to visit the 3rd floor Reference Desk to request the use of study rooms. Study rooms are available for use during Library open hours only. Rooms must be vacated no less than fifteen minutes prior to the library closing, or at the end of the scheduled session, whichever comes first.

PROCEDURES
Upon arrival, individuals requesting the use of a study room must check in at the Library’s 3rd floor Reference Desk. Availability will be reviewed at this time and reservations will be taken if all study rooms are in use. Study room users are asked to notify Library staff when the session is finished. The room will then be inspected for condition.

Groups may not rearrange Library furniture. Signs and decorations may not be taped or stapled to walls or doors. Use of glue, crayons, paint, markers, tape and other craft supplies is prohibited. Study rooms are to be left as they are found. Waste must be placed in appropriate garbage and/or recycling receptacles. No food or open drinks are allowed in study rooms.

Once a room has been vacated for more than 10 minutes, the Library reserves the right to remove the user’s belongings without assuming responsibility or liability thereof and to reassign the study room to an available status.

EQUIPMENT
The Library does not provide equipment and storage for tutors, nor does it provide supplies and textbooks.

CANCELLATIONS
No person may assign its reservation to another person or group. Individuals are asked to inform the 3rd Floor Reference desk if a study room is no longer needed so that it can be reassigned to an available status.

Tutoring cancellations are detailed in the Library’s Tutoring Policy. As such, Adult and Teen Services staff will review repeated unexcused absences or violations of our Library Conduct Policy and will recommend the exclusion of rights to future bookings of the private rooms as deemed necessary.

FAILURE TO COMPLY
Violation of the Library’s Tutoring policy regarding cancellations or the Library’s Conduct Policy may result in a loss of room booking privileges.

DAMAGES AND LIABILITY
The Library is not responsible for possessions left in a study room or moved by staff to another location.

Any individual using the study room shall be held responsible for willful or accidental damage to the Library building, grounds, collections or furniture caused by the individual or group in accordance with the Meeting Room Policy and Library Behavioral Policy.

Any applicant for tutoring reservations has read and understands the Policy for Use and agrees that she/he is responsible for ensuring that each student is aware of and abides by these rules.

APPEAL AND REVIEW
The Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library District will review the tutoring policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Library Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Library Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding the availability and use of the study rooms. The Library Director has delegated authority to approve study room requests to the Adult and Teen Services Department staff for both general usage and tutoring reservations.

Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of the tutoring policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Library Director in writing. The Library Director will respond in writing.

APPROVED MARCH 22, 2012