Reserve a Library Community Room

The primary use of Manatee County Public Library's rooms and spaces is for conducting the official business of the Library. When spaces are not in use by the Library, the Friends of the Library, the Board of County Commissioners, or Manatee County Departments, they may be used by individuals, groups, and organizations in the public and private sector. The Library Services Manager is responsible for administration and reserves the right to terminate a reservation at any time. All events held at Manatee County Public Library locations must be conducted in an orderly manner and in full compliance with laws, regulations, and Library rules. Use of Library rooms and spaces must not interfere with regular library business.

Community Rooms

• Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to once per month per location.
• Community rooms may be requested 60 days and up to 48 hours prior to requested date.
• Community rooms may only be reserved during regular library hours, starting no earlier than 15 minutes after the facility opens and ending no later than 15 minutes before the library closes.
• Community rooms are not available for private parties such as birthday celebrations, showers, receptions, or sports/athletics practices as these activities would disrupt regular library business.
• Full payment due 48 hours in advance. Notice of cancellation must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Refunds for community rooms cancelled more than 48 hours in advance may be requested; administrative fee will still apply.

• Community Rooms 9-69 persons $25/hour
• Community Rooms 70-100 persons $50/hour
• Cancellation/Reschedule Fee, less than 48 hours in advance $25
• Food/Beverage Fees $25

Event Spaces

• Event spaces may be requested 13 months and up to 14 days prior to requested date, and once per month per location. 
• Event spaces may be reserved for a minimum of 3 hours, starting no earlier than 9:00 a.m. Events must end by 8:00 p.m. with cleanup complete no later than 10:00 p.m.
• A Special Event Permit issued by the Library is required to use any library event space before or after regular business hours, or if planning for 100+ attendees, and/or if alcohol will be served.
• A certificate of insurance (COI) will be required to issue a Special Event Permit, and other COIs will also be required based on event activities and vendors.
• Events spaces are available for private parties such as birthday celebrations, showers, and receptions as spaces are contained and can be separated from the library and without disrupting regular library business.
• Full payment due 10 days in advance. Notice of cancellation must be made at least 14 days in advance. Refunds for event spaces cancelled more than 14 calendar days in advance may be requested; administrative fee will still apply.

• During Library business hours $100/hour
• After Library business hours $150/hour
• Special Event Permit $25
• Cancellation/Reschedule Fee, less than 14 days in advance $50
• Event Deposit $100
• Event Deposit with Alcohol served $500
• Administrative Fee $10

Reservation Fee Waivers apply: see Eligibility section below. 

Important Guidelines for All Rooms and Spaces

• To request the Sports & Leisure Services Fee Schedule and Special Event Permit Application: [email protected]
• Applicants shall not advertise the Library as the location of a meeting or event until written confirmation of approval has been received.
• The Library’s name and address cannot be used as the official address or headquarters of the scheduling applicant. The Library logo or photos are not permitted in the promotional material of a non-Library event or meeting. 
• Granting of permission to use a library room does not constitute an endorsement by Manatee County of the applicant or its programs; a statement to this effect must appear in promotional materials.
• Room and space reservations are not considered to be Library programs and will not be marketed through the Library Event Calendar or other library marketing channels.
• The Library reserves the right to re-assign a reservation to a different room or space or cancel as necessary.
  
• Postings and signage from outside groups are limited to display inside the designated room or space, and only during the reservation. 
• Please check in with library staff upon arrival for access to the room. Note: you may be asked to show photo ID. 
• Library staff are responsible for setting up tables, chairs, and Library-owned technology in community rooms and spaces.
• Community members wishing to use in-house audiovisual equipment in community rooms must provide their own laptop or device.
• The applicant is responsible for complying with ADA or other legal requirements which may apply to its us of the room.
•  All decorations and signage should be freestanding. Materials may not be attached to any walls, windows, doors or furnishings by any form of tape, pin, or nail. Certain types of decor are prohibited, such as glitter, confetti, candles, open flame, etc.
• Clean-up at the conclusion of the event is expected within the time of the reservation. Damage to library rooms and spaces, including furniture and equipment, may result in additional fees and denial of future room reservation requests.
• The Library does not assume any liability for groups or individuals hosting and/or attending meetings in the Library nor does the Library assume responsibility for any loss, damage, costs and/or expenses that may arise during use of the facility.

The Library Meeting Room Policy approved by the Library Advisory Board at its June 25, 2021 meeting and adopted in open session the 27th day of July, 2021 by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners. The Sports and Leisure Fee Schedule adopted in open session the 7th day of October, 2025 by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.