Studio 300 Policy
Studio 300, the digital media and maker lab of Fountaindale Public Library District, offers dedicated equipment, computers, software, production spaces, and collaboration rooms. Use of Studio 300 is governed by the policy established by the Library Board of Trustees and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the Library. The Executive 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 Studio 300 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
Studio 300 supports individuals and small groups working on media and maker projects.
Studio 300 computers are available for library cardholders working on digital media and maker projects. General computing activities such as word processing, web browsing, email, social networking, or gaming are not given priority and will not be allowed if resources are needed for Studio 300 projects.
Studio 300 spaces are designed for library cardholders to host or participate in video conferences, virtual meetings, training sessions, or for media project development.
LIMITS OF USE
Priority for reserving Studio 300 audio/video production spaces and group collaboration rooms is given in accordance with the Fountaindale Public Library District’s Meeting Room Policy. Studio 300 computers and audiovisual equipment are available to Fountaindale Public Library District cardholders in good standing, as defined in the Fountaindale Public Library’s Circulation Policy, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Non-resident library cardholders who are reciprocal borrowers as outlined in the Fountaindale Public Library District’s Circulation Policy, may utilize Studio Use Only resources, computers, and spaces are available for limited use Monday–Friday during open hours. Circulating resources are available for general checkout during all Studio 300 open hours. Studio 300 reserves the right to prioritize Fountaindale Public Library District cardholders.
All use of Studio 300 spaces and equipment must comply with the Library Conduct Policy and other applicable policies. A valid Fountaindale Public Library card, reciprocal borrower card, or government-issued photo ID is required to reserve or use Studio 300 computers, spaces, and equipment. For identity verification and cardholder security, the Library may photograph cardholders solely for inclusion in the Library’s secure database. If a photograph is not available in the Library’s secure database, the library cardholder will be required to present a valid government-issued photo ID for each use of Studio 300.
ORIENTATION REQUIREMENTS
- Adults: Orientation is required for the use of specialized equipment, but not for computers, GCR E and F, or non-specialized equipment.
- Teens (ages 12–17): Orientation is required for any Studio 300 use. Parents or guardians who complete orientation with their child may elect to sign a waiver permitting independent use.
- Children under 12: Must be accompanied by an adult, guardian, or caregiver age 14+ who has completed orientation.
- All persons completing orientation must provide a valid email address for communication about reservations, equipment due dates, and overdue items.
GUIDELINES FOR STUDIO 300 COMPUTER ACCESS
Computer use in Studio 300 is governed by the Library’s Computer Use Policy. Files are regularly erased and cannot be recovered; therefore, studio users are advised to use external or cloud storage.
USE OF STUDIO 300 SPACES
Studio 300’s spaces may be reserved by Fountaindale Library cardholders. Reservations may be made up to 90 days in advance for sessions of up to four hours per day, with a maximum of 12 hours per month per cardholder, depending on room and equipment availability. A cardholder may reserve up to four hours per day and must vacate the space at the end of the reserved period if another individual requires use. Individual members of a group may not attempt to extend time by booking as a new group if the participants are substantially the same as the original group.
Reciprocal borrowers are limited to walk-in use Monday through Friday. Reservations for reciprocal borrowers can be made up to seven days in advance for sessions of up to four hours, with a maximum of 12 hours per month, depending on room and equipment availability.
Library cardholders booking a Studio 300 space must present a valid library card or photo identification matching the account used to make the reservation, or present it within 10 minutes of the reservation start time, or the reservation will be forfeited.
Spaces may not be left unattended while reserved. If the responsible cardholder leaves without notifying Studio 300 staff, even if others remain in the group, the session will end, and future reservations may be limited. If a space remains vacant for more than 10 minutes, the Library may remove belongings (without assuming responsibility) and make the space available to other library cardholders. Reservations must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance. Frequent no-shows or cancellations without notice may result in the temporary suspension of privileges. Library cardholders who have not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time will be considered no-shows. Late arrivals will not be granted additional time beyond the original reservation. Depending on circumstances, individuals or groups who miss reservations may first receive a warning; repeated issues will lead to a suspension of Studio privileges.
USE OF STUDIO 300 EQUIPMENT
An extensive collection of digital media equipment is available for users. Some equipment must remain in Studio 300, designated as Studio Use Only items, while other equipment is intended for use off-site, designated as circulating equipment. A credit card authorization will be required for circulating equipment checkouts valued above a certain threshold. Upon return of all equipment in good condition, the authorization will be released. The presence of the original credit card and its owner will be required to release the hold.
Studio 300 users are responsible for returning all equipment directly to Studio 300 staff on time and in good condition. Items will be checked in after a thorough inspection for condition, and the individual who checked out the equipment is required to be present during this evaluation. Items not returned and considered lost will be billed for the full replacement cost.
Certain advanced equipment and software will require additional training and practical demonstration before checked out is allowed. Equipment intended for use within Studio 300 is loaned for four hours. Equipment designed for checkout and use outside of Studio 300 is loaned for five days. Renewals are not allowed on any equipment loaned by Studio 300. Individual library cardholders are limited to seven pieces of circulating equipment at any one time. The cardholder is required to sign a checkout form upon each individual use of circulating equipment. The Library is not responsible for media left on or corrupted while using Studio 300 equipment.
Library cardholders are responsible for all equipment in their care. Lost equipment may be returned within 30 days if it works and hasn’t been replaced, with approval from a Studio 300 manager or supervisor. Equipment returned without approval will not be accepted. Three lost equipment incidents in a year may result in suspension of Studio 300 privileges.
USE OF STUDIO 300 MAKER EQUIPMENT
Maker equipment follows the general Studio 300 guidelines, with additional guidance for safe and effective use. The Maker Lab is a hands-on, DIY environment where library cardholders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with machines, software, and project workflows. Studio 300 offers training and instructional resources for those who wish to use maker equipment.
Library cardholders must plan projects to allow completion and cleanup at least 30 minutes before the Studio 300 closes, ensuring proper shutdown of equipment. Only approved or Studio-supplied materials may be used, and costs will be added to the cardholder’s account upon project completion.
Maker equipment may be reserved for up to four hours per day, except for 3D printers. Staff may deny access to equipment if safety concerns arise or if projects cannot be reasonably completed within Studio 300 hours. Users are responsible for cleaning their workspace, removing materials, and returning equipment after each session.
3D print jobs must be submitted in person as machine-ready files. Due to extended print times, staff will notify the cardholder when the job is complete for pickup. Studio 300 reserves the right to deny printing of any file deemed inappropriate for a public space, including but not limited to designs that:
- Violate local, state, or federal laws
- Resemble or function as weapons, firearms, or parts thereof
- Are obscene, pornographic, or otherwise inappropriate for the Library environment
- Pose a safety risk or could harm others
Staff do not create, modify, or troubleshoot designs but may provide guidance on machine operation and safety. Users should immediately report any injuries or equipment issues to staff.
The Library does not guarantee the success or quality of any project and is not responsible for damage to personal belongings, devices, or materials. Users are expected to follow all safety guidelines, treat equipment responsibly, and work collaboratively with others in the Studio 300 space. Projects that pose a risk to safety, violate Library policies, or could damage equipment may be halted or denied access at staff discretion.
STUDIO 300 INSTRUCTION
Studio 300 staff are available during all hours of operation to provide guidance and support for Studio resources, including digital media software, production equipment, and spaces.
Studio 300 offers one-on-one assistance to support in developing skills related to media production, design, and other creative projects. These sessions are intended to provide focused guidance and instruction; however, staff will not complete projects.
While drop-ins may receive brief assistance, extended or uninterrupted help cannot be guaranteed. All studio users are expected to comply with the Library’s Conduct Policy during both scheduled and drop-in interactions. Sessions may be canceled or denied if behavior is inappropriate, disruptive, or otherwise violates library policies. To ensure the most effective use of time, studio users should arrive prepared with the necessary project materials, files, or ideas.
GENERAL STUDIO 300 GUIDELINES
Food and Drink: Food is not permitted in Studio 300. Drinks are prohibited in audio suites but may be brought into the computer lab, video studios, and collaboration spaces if they are in covered containers.
Noise: Studio 300 is an active and collaborative environment. A silent atmosphere cannot be guaranteed. Studio users are expected to keep sound levels respectful and comply with the Library Conduct Policy. Doors to studios must remain closed while in use.
Conduct: All activities must comply with the Library Conduct Policy. Violations may result in loss of Studio 300 privileges and/or full library privileges. Respect for staff, other users, and the creative process is required at all times.
Personal Belongings: Users are responsible for their personal items. Studio 300 is not liable for lost, damaged, or stolen belongings. Items left unattended may be removed without assuming responsibility.
Content Creation and Copyright: All content created in Studio 300 must comply with community standards and applicable laws, including copyright. The Library reserves the right to deny or stop projects that are unlawful, infringe on copyright, or are inappropriate for a public library setting.
Collaboration and Group Use: Studio 300 computers are designed for collaborative use. Group collaboration rooms are available for small groups (up to six). Studio staff may limit the number of people allowed in production spaces. The cardholder who reserved the space or equipment must remain present and is responsible for the actions of their group. Studio users not actively participating in projects should use other areas of the Library.
Access: Library staff must have free access to Studio 300 spaces at all times. Staff may monitor activity to ensure compliance with Library rules and policies.
Privacy: The Library cannot guarantee complete privacy. Some projects may take place in shared or visible areas.
Use of Personal Devices: Studio users may connect personal devices to Studio 300 equipment at their own risk. Staff support for personal devices is limited, and compatibility is not guaranteed. Devices that interfere with library equipment or disrupt other users may be disconnected.
Content Ownership: Studio 300 users are responsible for saving and backing up their work. The Library may erase files stored on Studio 300 computers, drives, or memory cards without prior notice.
Printing and Fabrication: Studio 300 offers access to a color laser printer, 3D printing, and vinyl cutting equipment.
Studio 300 users who bring their own paper or materials must provide them in their original, unopened packaging so staff can verify compatibility. The Library will not print on paper or materials that are unsuitable for the laser printer or fabrication equipment.
The Library does not guarantee the success of any print or fabrication job and is not responsible for damage to supplied materials, equipment malfunctions, or unsuccessful results. Studio 300 users are responsible for reviewing their files and materials before printing.
The Library reserves the right to deny print or fabrication requests, including but not limited to those involving sharp-edged items, weapons or weapon parts, or any object deemed unsafe or inappropriate for a public space.
The Library does not assume responsibility for personal belongings, personal equipment, or files used in Studio 300 or left behind in Studio 300 spaces. Studio 300 users use library equipment at their own risk. The Library is not responsible for loss of data, corrupted files, or the failure of personal storage devices. Studio users are strongly encouraged to bring their own backup media and to save work frequently.
DAMAGES AND LIABILITY
The library cardholder who reserves a space or associated equipment is considered the main user and is responsible for any loss, damage, or misuse of the equipment. Users must report any faulty equipment or space concerns immediately to Studio 300 staff. Failure to do so may result in the user being held responsible for the damage.
Cardholders are responsible for returning all spaces and equipment in the same condition in which they were checked out. Equipment must be returned directly to the Studio 300 service desk. Items returned improperly will be subject to a processing fee.
Circulating equipment that is held overdue beyond four days past the due date or returned damaged will be billed to the cardholder for repair or full replacement costs, including processing fees. Damaged items will remain on the cardholder’s account until charges are paid.
Cardholders with outstanding charges for lost or damaged equipment will have their Studio 300 privileges and other library privileges suspended until the account is reconciled.
Equipment privileges may be revoked due to careless handling of library-owned equipment, repeated overdue or damaged returns, or leaving library equipment unattended.
PROPER USE OF SHARED NETWORK ENVIRONMENT
Anyone who uses the Library’s computing and information resources must adhere to the Library’s Computer Use Policy.
For security and privacy, all computer storage is regularly erased and cannot be recovered. Equipment that uses removable media storage cards or has hard drives for media storage will be erased upon return and cannot be recovered. Studio 300 users are encouraged to use personal external storage, such as flash drives and/or cloud-based options, to back up their projects.
The Library and its staff are not liable for any loss, damage or expense sustained by any user due to or as the result of the utilization of services, equipment, software, advice or information.
APPEAL AND REVIEW
The Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library District will review the Studio 300 Policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Executive Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Executive Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding the availability and use of the spaces. The Executive Director has delegated authority to approve Studio 300 usage to the Studio 300 staff.
Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of the Studio 300 Policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Executive Director in writing. The Executive Director will respond in writing.