Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule use of the New Jersey Room?
The Somerville Public Library allows the New Jersey Room to be used by groups, organizations, and individuals for meetings. The library has no other area in the building that can be used for meetings.
The New Jersey Room can be used for individuals and not-for-profit groups or organizations for educational, informational, and cultural reasons.* The Somerville Public Library endorses the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and its interpretations. Article VI in The Library Bill of Rights states, "Libraries which makes exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use." The library does not limit use of the New Jersey Room based on the subject matter or content of the meeting or on the beliefs or affiliations of the meeting’s sponsors. Use of the New Jersey Room does not imply endorsement, support, or co-sponsorship by the library of the activities that take place in the meeting or the beliefs expressed by those using it.
No selling, solicitation, or taking of orders may occur; no fees may be charged for the programs or meetings; and no business or commercial activities are permitted. A library staff member may be present at any time during the meeting.
The New Jersey Room houses the library’s special collections of
For those groups, organizations, and individuals who want to use the New Jersey Room, the room can be booked up to four weeks in advance. These groups, organizations, and individuals must supply all necessary materials for the meeting, and they must leave the room in the same condition as they found it. For security reasons, the New Jersey Room is always kept locked.
Groups, organizations, or individuals failing to comply with any part of this policy may be denied further use of the New Jersey Room by the Library Director.
*Please be advised, the New Jersey Room is not a private room. Staff members and other individuals may also use the room, which contains local reference and circulating materials, although someone else may already be scheduled to use it. The New Jersey Room can hold a maximum of ten people.
