LIBRARY INFO

Room Use

The library offers meeting rooms where the community can gather to share information, discuss ideas, and present programs. The library welcomes and invites groups to use the rooms which are available without charge, by reservation regardless of the group’s beliefs or affiliations. Use of library meeting rooms does not constitute endorsement by the Library or its Board of Trustees of the ideas or opinions expressed by the participants or sponsors.

Room Types

Small Study Rooms are available for use by 1 to 2 individuals.

Study Rooms are available for use by 1 to 4 individuals.

The Board Room is available for use by 2 to 14 individuals.

The Large Meeting Room is available for use by 5 to 55 individuals.

Rooms are available Monday through Thursday from 9:00am until 7:30pm and Friday and Saturday from 9:00am until 4:30pm.

Requests for Reservations

Access priority is given to use by the Murray City Library and the Murray City Corporation.

All meetings in the Board Room, Small Meeting Room or Large Meeting Room must be open to the public unless closed by a public body in accordance with the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act.

The Library reserves the right to cancel or postpone previously scheduled reservations for library or city use with advance prior notice.

Individuals requesting the room must have a valid Murray City Library card in good standing. This individual is responsible for the appropriate use of the room and must be in attendance.

Individuals requesting the Board Room, Small Meeting Room or Large Meeting Room must be at least 18 years of age.

If a patron does not claim the room within 15 minutes of the reservation time, the reservation may be cancelled and the room will be made available to other patrons.

Rooms are available Monday through Thursday from 9:00am until 7:30pm and Friday and Saturday from 9:00am until 4:30pm.

Reservations for the Board Room, Small Meeting Room or Large Meeting Room may be requested 90 days in advance of the scheduled date. Permission may be granted to established Murray civic organizations to annually schedule reservations for the Large Meeting Room for monthly meetings for the period of their membership year.

Online reservation requests are encouraged. Requests may also be made in person or by phone at 801-264-2580.

Online acceptance of terms and conditions is considered a valid agreement.

Terms and Conditions

Damage to Library property as the result of room misuse will be charged to the individual who reserved the room.

Room use cannot interfere with library services. The library reserves the right to enforce fire codes and its Code of Conduct.

Due to limited parking, Large Meeting Room meeting participants are restricted to the 28 parking spaces along the east side of the lot.

Only commercially prepared food is allowed in the Large Meeting Room. The Salt Lake County Health Department prohibits the serving of homemade food or drink.

Nothing can be affixed to library property. Signage is available to indicate the location, time, and a brief description of Large Meeting Room events.

Set up and clean up, including returning furniture to its original location, is the responsibility of the reserving group.

The Library is not responsible for any meeting participant’s property or personal belongings.

All rooms must be vacated no later than 30 minutes before library closing hours.

Activities involving firearms, live ammunition, or hazardous substances are not permitted. This does not apply to the legal possession of firearms.

Groups are responsible for complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and for providing requested accommodations.

Failure to follow these terms and conditions may result in loss of room use privileges.

Appeal of staff decisions may be referred to the Library Director first and finally to the Library Board.

Meetings held for commercial purposes are prohibited, including sales, marketing, or solicitation of names for future sales and business referrals.

Commercial institutions may utilize the rooms for non-profit purposes. No admission fees may be solicited or collected and the sale of products or services is not permitted.

Adopted by the Murray Library Board of Trustees November 20, 2019, reviewed May 15, 2024.

 

Trespass Procedure

After Library staff determines that a person has engaged in severe or repeated misconduct and staff has determined that the individual involved should be trespassed from the Library, the following procedures will be followed:

1. 1. Staff will issue, or cause to be issued by police or other apparent authority, a trespass notice to the individual involved, notifying the individual that they are trespassed from the Library and the Library’s property. The notice shall indicate the reasons for the trespass, and the effective time period of trespass. It will also notify the individual of the process for appealing the trespass. The individual’s Library card shall be deactivated for the same length of time as the trespass.

1. 1. The staff member issuing the trespass notice will inform staff on the Staff Page, placing pertinent information on the “Trespassed” spreadsheet.

1. 1. Staff will forward a copy of the trespass notice and a written description of the incident to the Library Director.

1. 1. After consultation with Library staff, if the Library Director (“Director”) agrees with the reasons for the trespass, the Director need take no further action. If, after consultation with staff, the Director deems it appropriate to rescind or modify the terms of the trespass, the Director shall notify in writing the affected individual and Library staff about the decision to modify or rescind the trespass, including the reasons for the modification or rescission.

1. 1. Within ten (10) days from the date of being issued the trespass notice, the affected individual may make a written request for the Director to review the trespass notice. Upon such a request, the Director will review and may reconsider the decision of trespass. If information submitted by the affected individual warrants modification, the Director may shorten or terminate the trespass. The Director shall provide a written determination to the individual within ten (10) days of receiving the request for review. The Director may consult with the City Attorney’s Office before issuing a response to the affected individual. An affected individual must request the Director’s review and determination before proceeding with the appeal process outlined here. (Insert link to Appeal Process)

1. 1. Until such time as the trespass has been reviewed and/or modified by the Director, or reversed or modified on appeal, the affected individual may not use the Library.

Trespass Appeal Process

The aggrieved individual must first submit a written request to the Library Director asking for an official review of the trespass. The Library Director’s determination may be appealed as follows:

1. 1. Appeals shall be heard by an independent hearing officer. A list of five (5) hearing officers shall be appointed by the Library Board. For each appeal, the Board shall assign one (1) hearing officer from the list to handle the specific appeal.
      a. Hearing officers may not be employees of the City or members of the Library Board. Hearing officers may be removed from and new hearing officers added to the list at any time for any reason by the Library Board, unless that hearing officer is currently in the process of hearing an appeal. There is no set term for service as a hearing officer. Hearing officers shall serve without compensation.
      b. The Library Board reserves the right to establish rules for the appointment and assignment of hearing officers as it deems appropriate.

1. 1. In order to appeal the Director’s determination, the aggrieved individual must file a written notice of appeal within ten (10) days after they receive the Director’s determination. The notice of appeal shall be filed with the Director, who shall forward the notice of appeal to the Library Board as soon as practicable, but in no case any later than five (5) business days of receipt.

1. 1. The Library Board shall assign a hearing officer to hear the appeal within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the notice of appeal from the Director.

1. 1. The hearing officer shall schedule and hear an appeal within thirty (30) days after being assigned. The aggrieved individual shall be notified of the hearing at least ten (10) days before the hearing.

1. 1. At the hearing, the aggrieved individual may be represented by counsel, may present testimony and evidence, and may call and examine witnesses and cross-examine witnesses of the other party. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing as they deem necessary, provided that the hearing officer shall allow each side a fair opportunity to present their arguments. The hearing shall be held at the Library or at Murray City Hall, as determined to be in the best interest of the parties, in the sole discretion of the hearing officer.

1. 1. Within ten (10) days after the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written decision stating the reasons therefore, and cause the decision to be sent or delivered to the aggrieved individual and to the Library. The hearing officer shall have the authority to affirm, reverse or to make any modifications to the Director’s decision that the hearing officer deems appropriate under the circumstances.

1. 1. The decision of the hearing officer shall be final.

1. 1. If a trespass is for a period of less than the total time required for the normal appeal process to take place, the aggrieved individual may request an expedited review in the notice of appeal. The above process shall be expedited such that a hearing officer can be assigned, a hearing scheduled and held by the hearing officer, and a decision made as soon as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

Adopted by the Murray Library Board of Trustees – June 21, 2006; Revised June, 15, 2017.

 

Unattended Children

The Murray City Library welcomes and encourages children to visit, use resources and services, and attend library programs. Staff members are available to help and support children; however, the Library is not able to provide childcare or be responsible for unattended children.

Unattended children are children of any age who are apparently unaccompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible caregiver. Children who are unable or unwilling to care for themselves may not be left alone in the Library and must have adequate supervision while in the Library. The Library is not responsible if children leave Library property unattended.

Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety, behavior and supervision of children at all times while in the Library and on Library property, whether the parent/guardian is in the Library or not. Children are expected to respect Library property and adhere to the Library Code of Conduct. Disruptive children, attended or unattended, may be asked to
leave the Library after one warning.

Library staff will attempt to contact a parent/guardian if an unattended child’s behavior is disruptive, the child is in a potentially harmful situation or the child is left alone at closing time. If parents/guardians are not available or are unresponsive, the police will be contacted. Children who refuse or are unable to give contact information for a
parent/guardian will not be allowed in the Library until the Director has talked to their parent/guardian.

Adopted by the Murray Library Board of Trustees April 15, 2020

 

Access To Buildings and Grounds Policy

 I. PURPOSE

• • A. The purpose of this policy is to ensure public access and use of the library grounds and facilities in a manner complementary to the library’s goal of providing equitable and safe access to information resources, programs, and services while ensuring such use does not interfere with operations or the rights of library patrons.

• • B. This policy applies to all library visitors and employees while on library property. This policy does not replace, but supplements applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy is specifically authorized by Utah Code § 11-61-104(2) and Utah Code § 9-7-404 and 405.

II. DEFINITIONS

• • A. Expressive Activity: Expressive Activity means (a) peacefully assembling, protesting, debating, or speaking; (b) distributing literature; (c) carrying a sign; or (d) signature gathering or circulating a petition.

• • B. Public Forum: A Public Forum is an area that has a long-standing tradition of being used for and is historically associated with the free exercise of Expressive Activity. The following areas are designated Public Forums:
    1. 1. Public roads surrounding the library grounds; and
    1. 1. Public sidewalks that run adjacent to the public roads.

• • C. Limited Public Forum: A Limited Public Forum is an area that has not traditionally been open for the free exercise of Expressive Activity but is made available by the library for Expressive Activity subject to the restrictions contained in this policy and the Room Use Policy. The following areas are designated as Limited Public Forums:
    1. 1. Library lawns;
    1. 1. Portions of the walkways leading to the Library, as depicted on the attached map; and Library public meeting rooms.

• • D. Non-Public Forum: A Non-Public Forum is an area that is not a Public Forum or a Limited Public Forum and is not open for the free exercise of Expressive Activity. The following areas are designated as Non-Public Forums:
    1. 1. The interior of the library, except for public meeting rooms that have been designated as Limited Public Forums;
    1. 1. Library entries and walkways leading from parking areas to entries; and
    1. 1. Parking lots.

• • E. Restricted Areas: A Restricted Area is an area where public access and exercise of Expressive Activity is prohibited. Restricted Areas include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. 1. Employee information technology work areas;
    1. 1. Employee offices and personal workspaces;
    1. 1. Employee lounge and break areas;
    1. 1. Equipment rooms/areas;
    1. 1. Ramps and loading docks;
    1. 1. Shrubs and flowerbeds;
    1. 1. Storage areas; and
    1. 1. Any other areas where signs indicate that access is restricted.

III. POLICY STATEMENT

• • A. Use of Public Forum: Individuals or groups are permitted to the free exercise of Expressive Activity in Public Forum areas so long as they do not impede the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic or violate any Federal, State, or local laws.

• • B. Use of Non-Public Forum: Individuals or groups are permitted to access Non-Public Forum areas but are not permitted to the free exercise of Expressive Activity in the Non-Public Forum areas.

• • C. Use of Restricted Areas: Individuals or groups are not permitted to enter, access, or exercise Expressive Activity in Restricted Areas. Restricted areas may only be accessed by authorized employees.

• • D. Use of Limited Public Forums: Individuals or groups are permitted to the free exercise of Expressive Activity in Limited Public Forum areas subject to the following content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions:
    1. 1. Availability: Limited Public Forums are available for use during normal library operating hours. Reservations may be made in advance in accordance with the Library’s Room Use Policy. 
    1. 1. Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions: Individuals engaging in Expressive Activity on the library grounds must abide by the following requirements. Expressive Activity must not:
          • • a. Violate any federal, state, local, or other applicable law;
          • • b. Interfere with the activities or rights of other persons or with the operations of the library;
          • • c. Solicit or directly contact library patrons;
          • • d. Disrupt other’s use and enjoyment of the library inside or outside the buildings;
          • • e. Cause injury to persons or property or threaten to cause such injury;
          • • f. Use or threaten violence or force, or encourage others to use or threaten violence or force;
          • •  g. Obstruct entrances or exits to the buildings;
          • • h. Obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
          • • i. Represent a threat to public safety;
          • • j. Include camping or the use of temporary shelters;
          • • k. Affix items to any permanent structures;
          • • l. Light any material on fire;
          • • m. Utilize any amplification device;
          • • n. Attract a crowd larger than the occupant limitations that the location can safely contain;

• • B. Restricted Speech: The following categories of activities or speech are not protected by law and are not permitted on library grounds in any area:
    1. 1. speech that incites imminent lawless action;
    1. 1. speech that triggers a violent response (“fighting words”);
    1. 1. true threats of violence;
    1. 1. obscenity; and
    1. 1. child pornography.

• • C. Persons or organizations responsible for an activity covered under this policy must remove all signs and litter from the area at the end of the event. If this is not accomplished, persons or organizations responsible for the event may be held financially responsible. 

• • D. Activity that results in damage or destruction of property owned or operated by the library is prohibited. Persons or organizations causing such damage may be held financially responsible.

• • E. The library maintains discretion to end any activity that it deems to be disruptive or a threat to others.

IV. PROCEDURES

It is the intent of the Board that the Library Director establish administrative rules/procedures necessary to implement this policy. These rules should, as much as possible, promote and foster pluralism in the Library environment by balancing the First Amendment freedom of speech and assembly rights of members of the public with the Board’s right and responsibility to maintain a level of decorum appropriate to the Library’s goals.

Adopted by the Murray Library Board of Trustees May 20, 2020