Fort Scott Public Library has an events room available for library events and programs. The event room may also be used for an event or program co-sponsored by the library and one or more other entities, at the discretion of library staff.

The number of persons in the room may not exceed 49.

The events room may not be used for any unlawful purposes.

Use of the events room by an approved co-sponsor does not constitute library endorsement of the viewpoints expressed by participants in the programs.

No admission fee, registration fee, donation, or monetary solicitation of any sort may be sought from attendees. Fees may be charged only to cover the actual expense of materials/supplies used during a program. No products or services may be advertised, solicited or sold without the express permission of library administrative staff.

Literature may only be distributed to people attending the event and may not be distributed to other patrons of the library.

No group or organization using the events room will discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or handicapped status.

Programs must not interfere with regular library operations or cause a disturbance in the library.

Persons attending events who bring children requiring supervision should not leave such children unsupervised.

Library staff must have free access to the room at all times. The library retains the right to monitor all programs conducted on the premises to ensure compliance with these regulations.

No display, banners, charts, decorations, etc. may be attached to the walls or ceilings. No tacks, nails, or tape are to be placed on doors, walls, windows, or furniture.

The use of tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, and alcohol is prohibited. No smoking is allowed anywhere in the building, including in the restrooms or up to 20 feet from the entrance of building.

No cooking may be done on the premises, and no flames are allowed. Food already prepared in slow cookers or roasters is allowed. The sink may be used for rinsing out coffee pots, pitchers, etc., but dishwashing should not be done.

Use of paints, foods, and other materials that have the potential to stain or damage library furniture must be approved by library staff.

The library opens at 9:00 a.m. Groups or persons may not enter the building until 9:00 a.m. All co-sponsored events must be held during the library’s regular business hours and are contingent on the library being open. Library staff will notify the contact person if the library closes due to adverse weather or other unexpected events.

All co-sponsored programs, including clean up, must end at least 15 minutes before closing.

The library is not liable for injuries to individuals or for damages to or the loss of personal or organizational property of groups using the events room.

Users of the events room must abide by all other library policies.

Infringement of any of the regulations stated in this, or any other, library policy will be grounds for denial of future use of the room.

Programs in progress that are observed to be in violation of this policy will be terminated immediately.

The Library Director is authorized to deny further use of the events room to groups who are disorderly or who disregard library regulations.

Requests for exemptions to this policy must be made in writing to the Library Board of Trustees.

If a question is raised as to the goals and activities of any group using the events room, the Library Board of Trustees shall be the final authority in granting or refusing permission for the use of the room.

Approved March 9, 2017; rev April 11, 2017; rev November 14, 2023