Meeting Rooms

All CALS libraries have public meeting facilities. You can now reserve your room online or contact the location of your choice to book your space.

No library facilities may be used for the immediate point of purchase to sell goods, merchandise, or services, or to directly or indirectly promote a business enterprise or to solicit clientele. The facility may be used for fund-raising by organizations with a 501(c)3 status provided they submit appropriate documentation. Candidates for political office, or persons involved in issue oriented campaigns may use branch meeting facilities provided fund-raising events do not occur on library premises.

Reserve Your Meeting Room

Please read the guidelines below before reserving your room online.

Branch Meeting Facilities & Grounds Use Guidelines

The following guidelines have been established to govern the use of meeting facilities in branch libraries of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS). Libraries may establish additional guidelines, provided they do not conflict with these guidelines. All additional guidelines must be approved by the appropriate supervisor. Main Library Meeting Room procedures may differ from those established for the Branch Libraries.

General Guidelines

• CALS does not discriminate with regard to race, religion or creed, color, sex, age, disability, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or marital or familial status in making meeting facilities available to any person or group.
• Library and library-sponsored activities have priority in the use of meeting space.
• Meeting facilities are under the supervision of the staff of each library.
• CALS reserves the right to have a member of its staff present at scheduled events.
• Anyone using the meeting facilities assumes responsibility for damage to the rooms and their contents. The library is not responsible for items left unattended.
• The library does not charge for the use of audiovisual or other equipment but may charge the user any reasonable repairs caused by misuse or abuse of the library’s equipment. Each library should verify that equipment is working after it has been used by any group.

Registration

• Registration and booking of meeting rooms are handled through the CALS website utilizing specific software. While patrons may register online, temporarily holding reservations, all meeting room bookings are subject to review and final approval by CALS staff.
• Any comments and notes about the performance of any person or group using the library’s meeting facilities may be retained at the location, as a basis for determining future access to CALS’s meeting facilities.
• Supervisors will inform Administration in writing of the name(s) and circumstances of any group or individual who is suspended from using library meeting facilities, and the reason for taking that action.

Scheduling

• Meeting facilities are available only on days the library is open. Libraries with meeting facilities that are accessible apart from the library itself may be scheduled for meetings that begin no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and end no later than 9:00 p.m. If a key is required, the individual must provide valid identification at time of pick up. A deposit may be charged for a physical key, and that deposit will be returned if the room is undamaged and clean when the key is returned to the library. Deposit fees may be waived for groups who have proven their reliability by past usage.
• Supervising adults must be present for meetings extending beyond normal hours of operation for groups whose primary members are under the age of 21.
• At branch libraries, meetings that begin or end outside normal hours of operation may not be social events (of which the primary purpose is fellowship, eating/drinking, and social interaction) such as birthdays, dances, showers, etc.
• Long-term scheduling: Meeting room bookings are limited to the timeframe of 90 days from the date of booking.

Use of Facilities

• Except for library sponsored fund-raising events, meeting facilities may not be used by any person, group, or business for the immediate point of sale for goods, merchandise, or services or be used as a de facto place of business. Users are prohibited from using the facilities to directly or indirectly sell commodities, services, or merchandise, or to solicit any individual as a future customer. Determination of appropriate use of library facilities in this regard will be made by the Branch Manager and/or Executive Director. Groups who are denied use of the facilities for this reason may appeal the decision to the Executive Director.
• Users of meeting facilities may not charge a fee, except to recover out-of-pocket costs, for the meeting. Out-of-pocket costs are limited to expenses such as food, printing costs, and reasonable honoraria for guest speakers.
• Business or private enterprises wishing to present public service programs must submit a program proposal to the Branch Manager, who will forward it to the Executive Director for approval. Branch Managers or the Executive Director may require business references before approval is granted. The business may hold one such program per year at any one library in the system. No business or private enterprise may take names/addresses of participants or distribute literature that advertises their business at any meeting.
• In accordance with the mission of the library, private tutoring is allowed in CALS facilities, providing there is no monetary exchange between the student and tutor inside the library. Tutors may not reserve meeting space in advance but are permitted to use the study rooms and open space in reading areas as available on a first-come, first-served basis. The library reserves the right to limit tutoring activities if space resources are monopolized or activities interfere with library operations. Tutors and students must comply with all of CALS’s rules and regulations while conducting their activity. Tutors may not publish or distribute advertisement or letters identifying any CALS location as their place of business or imply library sponsorship of their activities. The Branch Manager and Executive Director have final discretion as to whether the activity being conducted is tutoring and permissible under this policy.
• Except for recruitment for state, federal, or local government personnel, meeting facilities may not be used to establish any employer-employee relationship. Meeting facilities may be scheduled by companies for job interviews, providing the meeting is not a general attempt to recruit employees.
• Candidates for political office, or persons involved in issue-oriented campaigns, may use branch meeting facilities provided fundraising events do not occur on library premises.
• No alcoholic beverages may be served on branch library property at any time.
• No beverages containing red, orange, or green dyes may be served at any location.
• No chafing dishes, grills, or other accessories with open flames are allowed unless provided by a licensed caterer.
• All library users are responsible for proper disposal of trash and clean-up immediately following their meeting.
• No decorations or other items may be affixed to interior surfaces with adhesive.
• A minimum of 48 hours’ cancellation notice is expected. Failure to provide such notice for two consecutive
meetings may result in denial of meeting room privileges at all CALS locations for six months.

Fees & Deposits

• Meeting rooms may be rented for $25 per hour. Multiple hours and/or multiple days may be booked simultaneously at the same rate. There is no discount for extended use. Waivers may be available in certain situations, such as events that are open to the public. Individuals may inquire about fee waivers on a case-by-case basis.
• Additional fees will sometimes be required for events in certain locations, or for large meeting spaces at the Main Library. These can include but are not limited to after-hours Safety Officer requirements. Exceptions vary by location and event, and all fees must be paid in addition to the hourly room costs before bookings are finalized.
• Food and beverages may be served in meeting facilities. The serving of food or beverages must be incidental to the meeting and may not be the primary purpose of a non-social gathering. Refreshments must be consumed within the meeting facilities, and individual portions may not be taken outside the rooms. Food may not be served in the library if the manner of its preparation or distribution causes undue disruption to library services. Any abuse of this privilege will result in the offending group being denied access to the library’s meeting facilities.
• Except for library-sponsored or co-sponsored events, meeting rooms may not be used as a distribution point of food (e.g., food pantry, free meals, etc.
• All required fees must be paid within 7 days of booking to avoid automatic cancellation.

Disclaimer Statement

Groups who announce their meetings must include the following disclaimer in their announcements: “Use of Central Arkansas Library System meeting facilities does not constitute endorsement of the beliefs, viewpoints, policies or affiliations of the user by the library board or staff.”

Record Keeping

Branch Managers are to keep accurate records on meeting room use and may develop any forms, etc., to meet their particular needs. Persons or groups who misrepresent their status in order to use CALS meeting facilities, or who disregard any of the rules set forth in this procedure or demonstrate disregard of the Rules of Conduct (B.P. 400) will be suspended from using meeting facilities throughout the library system.

Library Square Facilities & Eligibility Requirements

Library Square meeting rooms are located in three separate buildings: Roberts Library, Cox Building/Rock It! Lab, and Main Library which includes the Darragh Center. Details about the rooms in each building are included below.

Main Library

Beginning September 1, 2023, the Main Library will be closed for renovations. No meeting facilities will be available inside the Main Library.

Roberts Library – Room 204 Details

Located on the second floor of the Porbeck & Bowman building portion of the building, this room features unique and historic features, along with a portable 80″ TV with an integrated audio system, and tabletop laptop output. A boardroom-style table seats 13 people. Light refreshments, such as boxed lunches, are allowed.

For information about Meeting Room 204, contact Shannon Holmes 501.320.5792 or sholmes@cals.org.

Rock It! Lab – Third Floor Room

The Rock It! Lab has one meeting space which is open to the public. Rock It! Lab meeting room hours are 10:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. There is no access to the building before 10:00 a.m., so please allow for adequate time to set up before your meeting start time. All regular meetings must end 15 minutes prior to the meeting room’s closing time. The reservation fee is $200/up to 4 hours and $100/each additional hour to support RIL programming.

The Third Floor room can accommodate up to 45. Equipped with whiteboard, laser projector, drop-down screen, podium microphone (lapel microphone and hand microphone available), sound system with 6 speakers, and touch screen power and volume control. Projector inputs include HDMI, DVI, mini display port, mini c HDMI, and micro d HDMI. Refreshments, including box lunches, are allowed.

For information about the Rock It! Lab Third Floor Room, contact rockitlab@cals.org.

Ron Robinson Theater

The Ron Robinson Theater is a 315-seat multi-purpose event venue. Part of the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS) Main Library campus, it is designed to provide programs for all ages including films, music performances, plays, readings, lectures, speakers, and children’s activities. The theater is equipped with a state-of-the-art DCI-compliant Barco digital cinema projection system and 32′ wide retractable screen; and, a versatile sound system capable of Dolby 5.1 surround audio for movies, with a CL3 digital mixing console with ample inputs for traditional music concerts.

As with other CALS meeting spaces, the theater may be used by the public for a fee, based on availability. Contact ronrobinsontheater@cals.org for more information.

Parking at Library Square

Parking is available to scheduled meeting room users in the surface lot and library deck during library hours.

Branch Library Facilities & Eligibility Requirements

CALS Branch Libraries each have a furnished room that may be scheduled for meetings and events. Not all event types are appropriate for each location.

Children’s Library & Learning Center
4800 W. 10th St., Little Rock, AR 72204
(501) 978-3870

The meeting room can accommodate 30 seated. Maximum capacity is 50. The number depends on how the room is set up and how many tables are utilized. The room has 6 rectangular tables that seat 4-6 people. There is access to a small kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, and counter space. A projector is present in the room, on which you can hook up your own laptop and run presentations or DVDs; there is a pull down projector screen.

Sanders Library
10200 Johnson Dr., Sherwood, AR 72120
(501) 835-7756

This room seats 40 with a maximum capacity of 140. Includes 8 rectangular tables, a TV, white board (markers, eraser available upon request); kitchen with sink counter space and microwave oven.

Maumelle Library
10 Lakepoint Dr., Maumelle, AR 72113
(501) 851-2551

The meeting room can accommodate up to 50. Access to small kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, sink, and large coffee maker. Complete AV system available.

Dee Brown Library
6325 Baseline Rd., Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 568-7494

The meeting room can accommodate up to 60. Access to small kitchen with sink and refrigerator. TV with VCR/DVD, and small marker board available.

Thompson Library
38 Rahling Circle, Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 821-3060

The meeting room can accommodate up to 40. Access to small kitchen with sink. Projector with screen and white board available.

McMath Library
2100 John Barrow Rd., Little Rock, AR 72204
(501) 225-0066

The meeting room can accommodate up to 50 seated with a max capacity of 120. Access to kitchen with sink and microwave. Complete AV system as well as separate TV with VHS/DVD available.

Fletcher Library
823 N. Buchanan St., Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 663-5457

Meeting Room A can accommodate up to 10; dry erase board and AV monitor are available. Meeting Room B can accommodate up to 10; dry erase board and AV monitor are available. Community Room can accommodate up to 65 with access to warming kitchen with sink, microwave, oven/stove, and refrigerator/freezer; dry erase board and AV monitor are available.

Williams Library
1800 Chester St., Little Rock, AR 72206
(501) 376-4282

The meeting room can accommodate up to 40. Access to kitchen with sink. TV with VCR/DVD, overhead projector, and screen available.

Milam Library
609 Aplin Ave., Perryville, AR 72126
(501) 889-2554

The meeting room can accommodate up to 50. Access to sink. TV with VHS/DVD and screen available.

Terry Library
2015 Napa Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72212
(501) 228-0129

The meeting room can accommodate up to 45. Access to microwave and sink. Dry erase board and overhead projector with projector screen available.

Nixon Library
703 W. Main St., Jacksonville, AR 72076
(501) 457-5038

The meeting room can accommodate up to 50 and will feature complete AV system with access to kitchen area.

Rooker Library
11 Otter Creek Ct., Little Rock, AR 72210
(501) 907-5991

The meeting room can accommodate up to 36 seated with max capacity of 40. Features a projector with laptop hookup. The kitchen area provides access to a sink, refrigerator, and microwave.

Reserve Your Meeting Room Online

This is a reservation request only. All meeting room bookings are subject to review and final approval by CALS staff. You will be notified when your reservation has been approved.

Reserve a Room