Mission and Policies

Library Services Rendered Policy

Scope
This policy covers regulations and fees related to VHS digital conversion, passport services, meeting room facilities, and photography and filming in the library. Fees collected for library services rendered as outlined in this policy can only be made in cash, check or money order and should be made payable to The Fall River Public Library. They will be collected in accordance with Fall River Ordinance 2025-24 which states:
The purpose of this revolving fund is to meet, in whole or in part, expenses relating to additional library resources and programming, including but not limited to Passport Acceptance, at the City of Fall River Public Library. The account shall be funded by receipts related to library resources and programming and Passport Acceptance fees. The fund will be utilized by the Library. The fund shall be held in and appropriated from in manner provided in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 53, Section E 1/ 2.

Section 1. VHS Digital Conversion Fees
The library offers digital conversion services of VHS tapes to USB. It is possible to have VHS converted to DVD for an additional fee. The library is not liable for any possible damages or loss of media incurred during the digitization process. We cannot make copies of materials protected by copyright not owned by the requesting party. The maximum number of tapes that can be submitted at one time is 5. We have the right to refuse service for any reason up to and including concerns over content.

Fees
1 VHS Tape to USB: $15
5 VHS Tapes to USB: $35
Add $5 per VHS if DVD formatting is requested

Section 2. Passport and Notary Services

Passports
The Fall River Public Library is an official passport acceptance facility. The U.S. Department of State is responsible for issuing passports after your in person appointment at the library to verify your identity and review your application. The library does not make decisions or have control over passport status or approval.

Passport Fees
When you apply for a passport using Form DS-11, you will need to pay two fees: one to the U.S. Department of State and one to the facility where you submit your application. The acceptance facility fee for the library as set by the U.S. Department of State is $35.

Notary Services
There are licensed Massachusetts Notary Publics available in the reference department by appointment. Please note that we are not lawyers and cannot notarize wills, divorce decrees, powers of attorney, or other legal documents. This service is offered free of charge. If money is rendered for library services that are free of charge, they will be accepted as a donation directly to the Fall River Public Library.

Section 3. Meeting Facilities Policy
It is the policy of the Fall River Public Library, as a “forum for information and ideas,” to make its meeting facilities available to the public it serves “on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use” (Library Bill of Rights).

This policy applies to all nonprofit and for-profit groups, organizations, and individuals or groups using the meeting rooms. The Library Administration has final authority concerning the use of the meeting facilities and reserves the right to refuse use of the facilities to any group or individual that has not met the conditions of this policy. Use of meeting facilities must be consistent with the mission statement of the Fall River Public Library and may not compromise the neutral position of the library.
Priorities in the use of meeting facilities are as follows:

1. Meetings held, sponsored, or co-sponsored by the library.
2. Meeting held by a city of Fall River department.
3. Meetings held by a state or federal agency or official.
4. Meetings held by Fall River groups or organizations.
5. Meetings held by Greater Fall River groups or organizations.
6. Meetings held by individuals.
   Meetings in categories 1 and 2 may not be required to meet all the conditions of this policy. In cases of scheduling conflicts, groups whose meetings must be postponed or canceled will be given as much advance notice as possible. All meetings must be open to anyone interested in attending. Groups may book up to one meeting per month.
   Fees
   Access to the facilities will be granted upon payment of the appropriate fee as outlined below. Fee is non-refundable. A no-show or last minute cancellation may result in an individual or organization being ineligible to book another time slot until their balance is paid.
   For a standard block of 2 hours or less:
   

Meeting Room Fees For-Profit Groups Non-Profit Groups
Large Meeting Room Fees $50 $10
Small Meeting Room Fees $25 $5
Study Rooms Free *2 hr limit Free *2 hr limit
Additional time can be requested at a prorated price for each additional hour.

Regulations
Meetings must begin one hour after the library opens and to end at least one hour before the library closes.
An adult must be designated as the person responsible for the meeting. Official personal identification must be provided prior to room access; a photocopy will be retained until staff can ensure library property is left in the same condition in which they were made available.

Materials may not be attached to walls/ceiling or windows. Meeting room users agree to pay for any and all damages to library property while the applicant is using property. Users must bring their own easels, projectors, equipment, and materials. The library will not supply such.

No outside groups or organizations using the meeting rooms shall charge an admission fee or sell materials, goods, or services for private profit or gain. The meeting rooms are not available for purely social functions (functions designed for entertainment with friends or associates). Cannot be booked by individuals or commercial entities for personal events, i.e. parties, recitals, religious worship or services. Meeting rooms users are required to pay for any police details deemed necessary by the Fall River Public Library Administrator or Board of Trustees as a result of their use of the meeting rooms.

The solicitation or receiving of campaign or political contributions is prohibited, pursuant to G.L. c55, 14. Meetings may not be disruptive to library services. Groups using the library must abide by all federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and policies. The Behavior Policy of the Fall River Public Library must be abided. Failure to comply may lead to immediate termination of the meeting, exclusion of individuals from library premises, and/or loss of library privileges.

The fact that an organization is permitted to meet at the library does not constitute an endorsement of the organization’s beliefs by the library, its staff, its Board of Trustees, or the City of Fall River, and any promotion or publicity must indicate such. The library is not responsible for promoting or publicizing non-library events. The sponsoring party must be clearly identified and publicity cannot imply library sponsorship or endorsement. At least one adult chaperone must be provided for every twenty meeting participants under the age of eighteen.

Booking Procedures
The facilities must be booked not more than 2 months before the date of meeting. Meeting facilities must be requested online; please see our website for the online booking. If assistance is needed, please contact the library at 508-324-2700 x3 for technical assistance or 508-324-2700 x7 for questions regarding policies or availability. Bookings are not secured until a confirmation email is received.

The study rooms can be booked at the circulation desk for same day use based on availability.

Section 4. Photography & Filming Policy

Policies & Procedures
The Fall River Public Library prides itself on providing a safe and enjoyable experience to all its users, offering an atmosphere conducive to everyone’s right to unimpeded and enjoyable library use. The library is a limited public forum; any activity or behavior that is disruptive to our regular service or to library users is prohibited within the library.

Patrons may take photographs and/or videos in the public areas of the Library to record their own visit or capture a building’s architecture where the photography falls under the category of Amateur Photography as outlined below. Please read both Amateur and Commercial or Professional photography descriptions to assure clarity and understanding of the categorization of your project.

All photography sessions may be ceased at the discretion of library staff on duty in the absence of the Library Director. The nature of the session will then be reassessed to assure it aligns with this policy.

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY
Amateur photography is defined by the Fall River Public Library as casual and non-commercial. Amateur Photography is permissible so long as such photography does not interfere with Library operations or library services. Photos taken under the amateur photography category cannot later be used for professional or commercial purposes without express written permission from the Library Director.

To retain the privacy of Library users as well as a safe and enjoyable space, photography may not capture identifiable likenesses of individuals without their permission and may also not feature minors, except with the permission of their parent or legal guardian as this may be a disruption of their regular library service. Permission is defined as a legally valid photo release form.

Amateur photography does not include the use of any supplemental lighting, tripods, or additional equipment and should not fall under the category of commercial or professional photography as described below.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES Commercial or NonProfit
Individuals or organizations seeking to do professional photography or filming for commercial or non-profit purposes will be referred to the Library Director. Sessions that fall under the category of professional photography services require advance permission and written approval by the Library Director.

If any of the following apply, the session will fall under the category of professional photography services:

-Any posed photographs, professional or semi-professional that involves multiple locations, changes of clothing, or equipment.
-Staged photography for a special occasion, including photos of an Engagement, Wedding, or Wedding Party, Prom, Family or other Special Occasion Portraits.
-Involving a professional photographer to capture images
-Includes props or other setting materials

Fees for commercial photography are on a case by case basis starting at $350 depending on the scale of project and commercial intentions of work. Scope of work must be clear, concise, and approved in advance of the scheduled photography or filming session, with written approval by the Library Director for photographs/footage to be usable.

Fees for non-profit professional photography range from $50-$200 based on the nature of the session including but not limited to the amount of preparation required.

SAFETY RULES FOR ALL PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES
No photographs on stairs, blocking walkways, or interfering with other patrons
No climbing on library surfaces
No moving furniture/fixtures, etc.
No unapproved filming/photographic equipment
No unapproved balloons or props
Patrons who violate the guidelines will be asked to stop photographing or recording and, if they refuse, may be asked to leave the Library.

PHOTOGRAPHY OR RECORDING BY LIBRARY STAFF
Please note that the Fall River Public Library frequently engages in photographing and recording public programs and events for its own publicity and promotional purposes. Your attendance at any Fall River Public Library-sponsored event or program constitutes permission for your photograph, recorded voice or image to be used for promotional purposes; holding harmless the library and its agents and employees from and against any claims or liability arising from or related to the use, publication or distribution of the photographs, videos, and audio recordings and without further compensation. Fall River Public Library staff will make every effort to notify members of the public when filming and audio recording is taking place. Please clearly notify a Library staff member if you prefer not to be photographed or recorded.

End Services Rendered Policy.