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The San Jose Public Library allows non-profit community groups to use the Community Rooms
within the various branch buildings in the San Jose Public Library system for their event
or program.
The Santa Teresa Branch Library’s Community Room is located to the right of the library’s
main entrance. Here you will find the primary entrance for the Community Room. However,
there is also a secondary entrance inside the library, near the restrooms.
The Community Room has a 100 occupant capacity and includes chairs to accommodate a presentation
style meeting, a kitchen area with sink, audio-video equipment with digital hookups, and a projector.
There is also a separate emergency exit and fire alarms. Also, even when the library is
closed, the restrooms can still be accessed from the secondary entrance after staff has
sealed off the library.
If your organization has booked the community room during hours that the library is closed,
you will need to check out a key ahead of time. Then, using the key, unlock the main
Community Room entrance by inserting the key, turning left and also turning left on the
switch below the lock before pulling the door open.
From inside the room, if the library is closed, you will hear a beeping from the security
alarm. On the keypad located next to the entrance, you will need to enter the code provided to
you in the packet you received when you checked out the Community Room key in order to disarm
the room. Once the room is disarmed, the keypad will say “Ready To Arm” and a light will
appear next to “Ready”.
To open the doors from inside the Community Room, press in on the crash bar. Note that,
using the key while pressing in on the crash bar, it can be locked in the open position,
but always remember to unlock the crash bar when done.
In case of an emergency, please note that, to the left of the entrance is a fire alarm
and, to the right of the entrance is a fire extinguisher. Also, across from the entrance
is an emergency exit with a second fire alarm next to it.
There are two separate light switch locations; one near the door that leads to the restrooms
and library and one near the sink. The separate top buttons control specific light settings,
such as only turning on certain lights. The bottom button turns on and off all lights.
Additional chairs are stored in three double doors along the side of the room and they
can be opened with the Community Room key.
The doors located near the sink contains extra tables, but they take a separate key, so,
when requesting the room reservation, please ask for the number of tables and chairs you
would like available for your group. The Community Room has up to 17 tables and 100 chairs.
Also located in the room is a podium as well as a digital hookup in the floor below it.
The digital connections feed to a panel located near the sink and give you control over the
overhead projector. To use the panel, you will first need to open the cabinet located
below it. From here, turn on the audio-video unit. The panel will then light up and you
will be able to turn on the screen display, change the input source from laptop (which
uses the connection located in the floor) to another such as DVD (which is located above
the audio-video unit), and adjust the volume.
Also, from this location, you will find a switch to raise or lower the projection screen.
Down lowers the screen, center stops it and up raises the screen. Please remember to move
the switch back to the center position when done. Please note, due to the projector set-up,
the projection may appear slightly shaky.
Once your event has concluded, make certain that the Community Room is completely clear,
including the restrooms, before securing the exit. If you unlocked the crash bar, lock
it. Be sure to turn off the lights and, if the library is closed when your event is over,
you will need to arm the building before leaving by entering the code provided to you in the
packet you received when you checked out the Community Room key. Once the alarm is set,
it will beep and tell you to exit.
From outside, securely shut the door and turn the key to the right until it locks. Then
quickly test to make sure the door is securely shut before returning the key through the
bookdrop as instructed in your packet.
For information on how to apply to use a community room at one of the San Jose Public Library
branches, please visit the library’s website and, under Services, Reserve, click on Rooms.
This will take you to a page with information on various branch community rooms as well
as the San Jose Public Library’s Community Room Use Policy. Please review this information
before applying.