Meeting Rooms

Library meeting rooms are intended for library purposes. The primary use of meeting rooms is to provide appropriate space for programs and functions that are organized or presented by the West Hartford Public Library.

As a community service, library meeting rooms may at times be used by non-profit, West Hartford-based organizations, at the sole discretion and timing of the library. All meetings will be open to the general public. Profit-making groups will not be permitted to use the library meeting rooms. Individuals who are not affiliated with local non-profit group cannot use the library meeting rooms. Due to administrative tasks, at least seven days notice is required to reserve any library meeting room, though more notice is always preferred.

Programs involving the sale, advertising or promotion of commercial products or services, or programs sponsored by business or recruiting firms are prohibited, even if they are free and open to the public. This includes groups offering free informational lectures prior to a potential paid involvement at some later date. No exchange of money is allowed, or promise of future exchange.

Any group not based in West Hartford requesting use of a meeting room must show a specific connection to the town through its stated mission or service area and provide a local contact with a West Hartford Public Library card who will be responsible for the booking and use of the room--and who will be in attendance to oversee the meeting, and to clean up afterward.

Below are the two meeting rooms at the Noah Webster (Main) Library, 20 S. Main St.


Library Meeting Room Lower Level near Children's Room Noah Webster Library Capacity: Seats 75 max. Tables are available; hanging screen. The library does not provide a projector.	Board Room, Mezzanine Level Noah Webster Library Capacity: Seats 25. Tables Available. No food or drink, except water.

REQUESTING A ROOM:
Before requesting a room, it is important to read the library's entire policy for General Use of Library Meeting Rooms [1] (pdf). Only West Hartford-based non-profit organizations may apply.

STEP ONE:
To check room availability online, please have ready:

Your West Hartford Public Library card number
Your organizations's 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exemption number. If a 501(c)(3) number is not available, then a full membership list (with addresses and phone numbers) must be sent to the library at 20 S. Main Street. By-laws may also be requested. This information will be used to determine non-profit status, and to verify that West Hartford residency requirements are met.

Next, see the Room Availability Calendar [2] and hold your room. If you are having trouble, there is an answering machine for questions about the meeting rooms. Please leave your message at 860-561-6979 and we will return your call weekdays. Note: Not all meetings appear on the public calendar online. Meeting rooms are available at the discretion of the library, with preference given to library programs and library meetings, and with regard to staff availability to oversee the rooms.

STEP TWO:
Wait for notification. Usually within three business days you will receive email notification stating whether your application was approved. If you do not receive this notification, or if you do not have an email account, please call the library after three business days to verify that your room use application has been processed: 860-561-6979.

IMPORTANT: Library meeting rooms are to be used "as is," meaning that the library is not responsible for setting up, rearranging, or taking down furniture for groups using the rooms. Each group should allow enough time to set up and take down all furniture. The library does not provide equipment, such as projectors, microphones, CD players, coffee pots, easels, markers, pads, etc. However, the Library Board Room usually has a 32" television on a stand with a standard DVD player attached. Food is allowed in the Library Meeting Room, but not the Library Board Room.

There is also a meeting room at the Faxon Branch Library, 1073 New Britain Avenue, in the Elmwood section of West Hartford. This room can seat up to 60 people. For information, please call Marcia at the Faxon Library: 860-561-8200.