Community groups who were previously turned away from using free meeting rooms at libraries may want to try again.
The Pima County Public Library has relaxed its policy about refusing meeting space to any groups that take money during a meeting in a library space.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors approved the change Tuesday.
All meetings still must be free and open to the public, said library deputy director Amber Mathewson.
But now if a soccer club or Girl Scout troop wanted to hold a sign-up day at the library, the group could collect dues or membership fees, she said.
A person offering an educational workshop could collect a fee to cover materials, or a knitting circle could take up a collection to pay for coffee supplies, she said.
“It opens it up for community groups that have a hard time finding a place to meet,” she said.
Other rules, such as a prohibition on sales and admission fees, will remain the same.
Library meeting rooms are popular and free places to gather, and meeting rooms are frequently booked.
The policy also says groups may only use a meeting room three times within a three-month period, and groups may book no longer than 90 days in advance because a lot of people want to use the spaces, Mathewson said.
Groups can reserve a meeting room by calling their branch library or find a branch by calling the Info Line at 791-4010.
