Meeting Rooms

The first priority for use of the meeting rooms is to provide space for Library programs. Second priority will be given to town agencies, organizations directly affiliated with those agencies, and to non-profit groups. Other organizations may reserve the use of the meeting space as the schedule permits. All meetings or programs are to be of an educational, informational or cultural nature. The Library Trustees and Library Director reserve the right to disallow the use of a room for any purpose incompatible with the overall mission of the Library. Library space cannot be reserved for private functions.

There will be no charge for the use of the meeting rooms for town agencies. Non-profit or for-profit/commercial organizations will be required to pay fees based on the fee structure. Permission to use the meeting rooms will be granted to adults only.

The following guidelines are intended for the use of Library Meeting Rooms:

• Meetings in the Community Room or the Lebowitz Meeting Hall must coincide with library hours unless permission has been granted and arrangements made to begin earlier or remain later.
• Meetings held in other areas of the Library (i.e. Study Room 1A) must always coincide with library hours.
• Custodial fees will be charged for before or after-hours use. Custodial fees will be charged for “No Shows”.
• Any publicity must be cleared by the Library Administration prior to publicity going to print. Publicity must clearly state who is sponsoring the program. Publicity must include a contact telephone number (not the Library phone number). Library administration must receive final copies of any publicity.
• Any expenses (damage, police attendance, etc.) are the full responsibility of the organization using the Library facilities. The Library is not responsible for the loss or damage of the organization’s property or the property of individuals in attendance.
• All programs held at the Morse Institute Library are to be free and open to the public.
• There will be absolutely no smoking or serving of alcoholic beverages (including beer or wine) on Library premises. The use of lit candles is also prohibited.
• A business or commercial entity cannot sell or promote its products or services on the Library’s premises.
• The Library does not provide special services such as the use of a telephone or faxes. (A public telephone is available on the Lower Level.) In addition, the Library should not be used as the mailing address for any group or organization. The fact that an organization is permitted to meet at the Library does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs.
• The Library reserves the right to cancel the use of the facilities as the result of an emergency. In the event that the Library cancels a reservation, a full refund will be issued.
• Decorations and/or displays must be limited to the tables or easels. Any other requests must be cleared through the Library Administration. Materials on display in the meeting rooms are not to be moved or rearranged.

Fee Structure:
Hourly fees will be charged on the basis of total room usage including the organization’s set-up time, meeting time, and breakdown time.

The only room available to rent by
for-profit/commercial organizations is the Lebowitz Meeting Hall.

Meeting Hall:

For profit/commercial organizations:
   $125/hour or portion thereof
   $150/hour or portion thereof before or after library hours to cover room use and custodial fees

Non-profit organizations:
   $25/hour or portion thereof
   $50/hour or portion thereof before or after library hours to cover room use and custodial fees

Community Room: (not available to for profit/commercial organizations)

Non-profit organizations:
$10/hour or portion thereof
$35/hour or portion thereof before or after library hours to cover room use and custodial fees

Additional fees may be charged for kitchen/food privileges at the time of the initial reservation, and for extraordinary set-up or equipment use, including the use of the Schimmel grand piano. The Library piano is tuned regularly. If additional tuning is required prior to an event, a piano tuning fee will be assessed. Use and/or tuning of the piano must be arranged at the time of the initial request.

Fees may be increased or decreased at the
discretion of the Library Director

A snow date will be accommodated for groups who wish to book one for 25% of the total fee charged.

Availability
Please contact the Library Administrative Assistant for information on availability:
508-647-6525.

Study Rooms

The Library has studies available for use by patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. Literacy/ESL tutors may schedule in advance for up to a month.

The following guidelines are intended for the use of the study rooms:

• Rooms may be reserved by phone or in person at the Reference Desk.
• A reserved study will be held 15 minutes only, then offered to others.
• There is a 2 hour limit for study rooms with renewal available if others are not waiting.
• Each study is limited to a specific number of people. Please check with the Reference Staff for availability of studies.
• Patrons are asked not to leave library materials or personal belongings unattended in the rooms.
• Any damage should be reported immediately to the Reference Staff.

There will be no charge for the use of the library study rooms; however, donations to the Library will be gratefully accepted from groups who use these rooms.

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