Exhibition and room bookings

Book what you need for talks, displays, exhibitions, business meetings and other public & private events...

What facilities are available at these locations?

• I’m an artist – can I exhibit my work anywhere?
• I’d like to arrange a manned stall / franchised space to advise people about our services – is this possible?
• My child has a birthday coming up and I’d really like to hold a party in the library?
• Are rooms available to hire by the hour for business meetings or community groups?
• Can I hold an event / private party outside normal opening hours?
• Do you provide food & drink for meeting & events?
• Can I sell items and related merchandise?
• Can I display posters & leaflets about my event or community group?
• Is there telephone and internet access?
• What about office equipment like flip charts, screens & audio visual items?
• Do I need to arrange my own insurance?
• What if something happens to my display or items while I’m not there?

I’m an artist – can I exhibit my work anywhere?

Bath Library + Information Centre: has an Exhibition room / Gallery space available for people & groups to display their exhibits. It is advisable to request one week slots, although longer and shorter times may be available dependent on the dates you request.  More guidelines are available if you're interested in finding out more...

Keynsham & Midsomer Norton Libraries: have wall space suitable for displaying art, but do not have the facilities for a full scale exhibition.

Please note: for all exhibitions and displays we will require to see a sample of your work and any material you intend to distribute within our locations (please refer to displaying posters & leaflets for more details) 

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I’d like to arrange a manned stall / franchised space to advise people about our services – is this possible?

Yes, this can be provided in certain locations on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis.  There are reductions in price for regular bookings.  Dates need to be agreed in advance, as space in individual locations becomes available.  Some locations can also provide internet / telephone connection for kiosks and self service points.  

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My child has a birthday coming up and I’d really like to hold a party in the library?

Bath Library + Information Centre: The Children’s activity room and small meeting room can be hired as a package for children’s birthday parties at set times of the day

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Are rooms available to hire by the hour for business meetings or community groups?

Yes.  All meeting rooms and libraries can be booked per hour, per half day or per day depending on your requirements (please see the room hire charges section for precise details of what is available)

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Can I hold an event / private party outside normal opening hours?

Bath Library + Information Centre:  Events can take place outside of library opening hours. However there is an additional charge for this as a Security Guard needs to be present during the event and to secure the building afterwards (please also refer to the next section about food & drink).

Other libraries:  can be hired outside normal opening hours on a “trust” basis.  Please contact individual locations to discuss your requirements.

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Do you provide food & drink for meeting & events?

Library staff are unable to serve refreshments for your events, however certain alternatives are available:

Bath Library + Information Centre: has a vending machine providing hot & cold drinks and snacks.  Wherever possible we provide fair trade and healthy alternatives.  The machine is located in the reading area and there is a small charge for using these items.

All Locations:  the Council does offer a full catering service and will be happy to discuss your requirements.  The menu ranges from drinks to hot meals and includes a delivery service to any Bath & North East Somerset Council building.  These services will be at an additional cost to the hire of rooms & equipment.  Please contact 01225 394424 or email catering@bathnes.gov.uk  for more details. 

If you wish to serve alcohol for private “out of hours” functions (please also see previous section) you will require a licence to confirm this and you can get more details by contacting 01225 477531. Any items required to serve refreshments will need to be supplied by the exhibitors. 

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Can I sell items and related merchandise?

You may sell items and take orders on the premises but this will be subject to a 20% commission payable on completion of your exhibition.

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Can I display posters & leaflets about my event or community group?

A sample of all material intended for display (including exhibitions) must be approved in advance.  Copies of any leaflets/posters to be distributed during the exhibition/event and samples of your work, should be submitted with the booking form. 

If this is not possible – please arrange a suitable time with staff at the location concerned not later than one month before the date of the exhibition/event (please see I’m an artists section for more details about where exhibitions can be held).

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Is there telephone and internet access?

You are able to use our public Internet Access computers during normal opening hours in libraries.  Council Connect at the Hollies have telephone / internet connection points in some meeting rooms.  Please discuss further details when booking.

Public telephones are located close by most locations.  Mobile telephones may be used in all locations, if set to vibrate / silent, on the understanding you do not disturb other people.

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What about office equipment like flip charts, screens & audio visual items?

Bath Library + Information Centre:  at the moment this is the only location which can offer a wide range of office equipment and there are additional charges for the use of these.

All locations:  you can bring in your own electrical items but you will need to provide a current (less than 1 year old) PAT Test Certificate. 

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Do I need to arrange my own insurance?

Organisers must make their own arrangements for Public liability insurance cover. 

When you complete the booking form you need to tell us which option you have chosen, as we cannot accept any bookings without adequate proof of insurance.

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What if something happens to my display or items while I’m not there?

Organisers must arrange for the appropriate supervision of their display, exhibition or event at all times.   The Council does not accept liability for any loss or damage to items displayed in Libraries or other buildings. 

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