Meeting Room Specifications and Policies

Meeting Room Information

The primary use of the Community Room is for Simi Valley Library activities. Regularly scheduled programs and activities of the Library will have priority over all requests for rental or use of the Community Room.

Hours of Rental: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:45 p.m.

Friday – Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Community Room may be used outside of regular hours with prior approval of the Director/ City Librarian. Additional conditions and fees may apply.

Rental Fees:
$50 for up to three hours.
$75 for between three and five hours.
$101 for more than five hours.

Seating Capacities
The Community Room can host:
75 people with chairs.
210 people without chairs.

Amenities

The Simi Valley Public Library Community Room comes equipped with an overhead projector and a large retractable screen, to which laptops and other devices may be connected. Tables and chairs are available as well as a podium with an attached microphone.

Meeting Room Policies

Policy

It is the policy of the City to allow public, private, and non‐profit organizations use of the Simi Valley Public Library’s meeting room, as space and availability permit for purposes that enhance the Library’s educational, cultural, and civic mission in serving the community.

PROCEDURES

Priority of Room Use

1. The use of Library meeting spaces by public and private groups is subordinate to the operating requirements of the Simi Valley Public Library and, in all cases, will be permitted only when not in conflict with ongoing Library-sponsored activities, including activities of the Friends of the Library. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, and events must be open to the public. Permission to use the facilities in no way implies endorsement of the meetings or activities conducted in these facilities, except when the event is sponsored by the Library.

 

2. Booking of Library meeting room space, not including study rooms, shall be the prerogative of the City Librarian, or designee, in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the use of City of Simi Valley’s buildings and facilities.

 
Guidelines for Room Use

3. Meeting Room Reservation Application must be filed at least two weeks, but no sooner than three months, before the date of the event. Insurance fees are to be paid at the time the application is submitted, and reservation fees are to be paid prior to reservation date.

 

4. The use of Library meeting rooms will be granted in the order of receipt of applications and is not transferable. Reservations are not confirmed until the application has been signed by the appropriate Library administrator and returned to the organization representative.

 

5. Due to demand by community groups and Library-sponsored programs, organizations requiring guaranteed regular time slots cannot be accommodated.

 

6. The person who signed the Meeting Room Reservation Application must leave identification while their group is using the room. Preferred identification is a California Driver’s License. This person will notify Library staff when the meeting is over, verify that the room has been returned to its original condition and configuration, and give the number of participants at the meeting.

 

7. Facilities may be used outside of regular hours with prior approval of the City Librarian. Additional conditions and fees may apply.

 

8. To receive a full reservation fee refund, cancellations need to be made at least one week in advance of the event. Users making cancellations within one week of the event will be assessed a cancellation fee of 50%.

 

9. Organizations using the meeting room agree to assume full liability and responsibility for damage to persons, equipment, or property, and will purchase Insurance Certificates and endorsements from the City of Simi Valley or from a private insurance agent, and must list the City of Simi Valley, its officers, employees, and volunteers as additional insured. Policy limits shall be a minimum of $1,000,000 combined single limits unless otherwise required by the City. Certificate of Insurance is due one week prior to the event.

 

10. Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold, consumed, or distributed at the Simi Valley Public Library or any of its meeting room spaces at any time.

 

11. Groups or organizations which involve minors are responsible for providing adequate adult supervision.

 

12. The name, address, or telephone number of the Library may not be used as the official address or headquarters of any group using the meeting room or publicized in such a way as to imply Library sponsorship or endorsement of the group and its activities. Printed and digital promotional materials for an event held at the Library must include this statement: “The City of Simi Valley is not sponsoring or endorsing this program or any goods or services offered.”

 

13. When the use of a City facility is by any group that provides “advice, assistance, sales or descriptions of financial alternatives,” the group must:
    1. Provide proof of license such as State Bar license, Insurance license, Mortgage or Real Estate license, or Securities license.
    2. Print a disclaimer on all fliers and advertising for the event that states, in 12 point type: “The City of Simi Valley is not sponsoring or endorsing this program or any
       goods or services offered.”

     

14. Each group reserving a meeting room at the Library must agree to abide by the rules and regulations governing such use and to pay all fees and costs that might be required. An organization’s meeting room privileges will be denied or revoked if there is abuse of the Meeting Room Policy and rules.

 
Fees and Charges

15. Insurance fees are charged and must be paid at the time the application is submitted. Once insurance has been approved, reservation fees will be collected prior to use of the room. Fees for meeting room reservations are established in the Simi Valley Public Library’s Fee Schedule.

 

16. If the Meeting Room or Library should require additional cleaning or repairs following a scheduled use, the organization will be charged to cover any such costs.

 

17. Checks are to be made payable to the Simi Valley Public Library.

 
Set-Up and Break-Down

18. Each group will be responsible for set-up, break-down, and clean-up. Users need to allow enough time within their reservation period to accomplish these tasks. Meeting rooms are to be returned to their original condition and configuration.

 

19. Equipment, supplies, or personal effects cannot be stored or left in the Library meeting rooms before or after use.

 

20. After the meeting, the person who signed the application and left their identification must meet with a Library staff member to verify that the room has been returned to its original condition and configuration, record the number of participants at the meeting, and have their identification returned.

 

21. Groups are expected to conclude their meeting and return the room to its original condition and configuration fifteen minutes prior to the time the Library closes.

 

22. Denial of an organization’s meeting room privileges will be enforced if there is abuse of the Meeting Room Policy and rules.

 

23. Library staff reserves the right to restrict or deny access to any individual or group who violates the conditions of study room usage or the Library’s Code of Conduct.

 

History

[April 22, 2019 Policy revised by Board of Trustees]

[May 6, 2013 Policy reviewed by Board of Trustees]