Section 4 Facilities.

The below is a summary of Section 4 of the Springfield Town Library Policy Manual. For the full approved version, please see the printed version at the library. A screen-reader accessible version of this part of the policy manual is planned for the future.

The Springfield Town Library is a limited public forum. This means it’s open to the public, but only for certain things like reading, research, and using library services. It’s not open for just any activity.

Library spaces can be used for events if they support the Library’s mission and follow Library rules.

We respect everyone’s privacy and the right to share different opinions. But people must be respectful. Anything that disturbs others or disrupts Library use is not allowed. For more information, see the Guidelines for Library Behavior (see Section 3).

Hours of Operation:

The Springfield Town Library will be open at least 40 hours a week, including evenings and weekends, based on what works best for the community. The schedule is set by the Library Director and approved by the Library Board of Trustees.

The Library is closed on official holidays, including:

  • New Year’s Day

  • President’s Day

  • Memorial Day

  • Independence Day

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving Day

  • The Friday after Thanksgiving

  • Christmas Eve

  • Christmas Day

  • The day after Christmas

The Library may also close for other Town holidays or emergencies, as decided by the Library Director. If a holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, the Library will also be closed on the Saturday before or after.

Meeting Room:

The Springfield Town Library has meeting rooms that the public can use. These rooms are open to everyone, no matter what they believe or what group they belong to.

If a group uses a room, it doesn’t mean the Library agrees with what is said in the meeting. The Library will not change or control the meeting’s content. Everyone must follow the Guidelines for Library Behavior.

To use a meeting room, you must fill out a Meeting Room Application Form (see Appendix V) and be approved by the Library Director. Meetings must:

  • Be free and open to the public

  • Not get in the way of Library services

  • Match the Library’s goals

If your request is denied, you can ask the Library Board of Trustees to review the decision.

If a group needs a private space—for example, a support group for people with disabilities—the Library Director may allow it if the need is clear and the group follows Library rules.

  • Any group using a room must:

  • Be approved first

  • Be responsible for the space and its contents

  • Pay for cleaning or other services, if needed

Small Conference / Family Room:

The Springfield Town Library has a small conference room on the second floor. This room was made possible by a 2018 “Promise Community” grant. The room has Wi-Fi and seats 4–5 people. The room is not meant for business or profit, but exceptions may be made sometimes.

This room is a safe and private place for people to:

  • Have supervised visits with children or family

  • Talk with a mental health provider

  • Do a telehealth (online medical) appointment

  • Work with a tutor

  • Have quiet family time

  • The room can also be used for:

  • Quiet work

  • Online classes

  • Virtual meetings

How to Use the Room:

  • Give your name and contact information to the library staff.

  • You can use the room for up to 3 hours per day and no more than 6 hours per week.

  • Use must be during regular library hours and must end at least 15 minutes before closing.

  • Staff may allow more time in special cases.

Room Rules:

  • Use the room as it is—no rearranging or changing things.

  • Close the door when you leave.

  • Take all your belongings with you. If you leave something behind, it may be thrown away after 3 days.

  • Leave the room clean, and put everything back where it was.

Privacy Notice: The room is not soundproof, so people nearby might hear your conversation. A sound machine is available, but total privacy is not guaranteed.

Fair Use: Everyone has the right to use the room, no matter their background, age, or beliefs.

Library behavior rules still apply when using the room.

Exhibits:

The Springfield Town Library gives local non-profit groups a place to share information about events and activities. This fits with our goal of offering access to many kinds of information and services.

What Can Be Posted or Displayed:

  • Items must be about education, culture, fun, jobs, or community life.

  • Non-profit events and activities can be posted.

  • Personal ads, surveys, for-profit ads, or sales materials are not allowed.

  • Sometimes, staff may allow notices from for-profit groups if they are about educational events or help many different people.

  • Political materials must be non-partisan (fair to all sides) and only about ballot issues or non-partisan elections.

Posting Rules:

  • Library staff must approve all posters and flyers before they are put up.

  • Leave your flyer at the Circulation Desk for approval.

  • Only staff may post or remove items.

If something is posted without permission, staff will remove it.

How Long Items Stay Up:

  • Events should happen within 30 days of posting.

  • Once the event is over, the flyer will be taken down.

  • Flyers with no specific date will stay up for no more than 30 days.

Petitions: The Library allows all types of petitions to be posted in public areas, including ones for people running for office.

  • Staff can sign petitions, but this does not mean the Library supports them.

  • Having a petition in the Library does not mean we agree with it.

Exhibits and Sales

  • Things for sale by for-profit businesses are not allowed unless the Library Board gives permission.

  • Non-profit groups may show items for sale if approved by the Library Director.

  • Vermont artists, writers, and craftspeople may show their work for sale with permission.

  • Prices will not be shown but can be shared if someone asks.

Other Rules:

  • The Library is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged. Exhibitors should get their own insurance if needed.

  • Flyers should be no larger than 8½ x 11 inches.

  • Poor quality or hard-to-read flyers won’t be posted.

  • Free local newspapers and magazines may be placed in racks if there is space.

If you disagree with any part of this policy, you may appeal to the Library Board of Trustees.

The above is a summary of Section 4 of the Springfield Town Library Policy Manual. For the full approved version, please see the printed version at the library. A screen-reader accessible version of this part of the full approved policy manual is being planned.