We recognize that visitors may spend long periods of time at the Library and may need to consume a snack, meal or beverage while on site. Additionally, Library programs and convened meetings may feature refreshments as part of a program or event. The Library's Food Permit is updated annually and the kitchen, hood, and fire extinguishers inspected annually.

All meetings convened during operating hours are considered public events, and food at non-library programs and events are under the jurisdiction of the convener. The Library's Food Permit does not cover convened meetings. An exception may be made for the Friends of the Library, Board of Library Trustees, and Capital Campaign events, provided a licensed staff member is available and willing to oversee food and/or beverage service.

Private events during non-operating hours under the Facility Rental policy must comply with local Board of Health regulations.

Users not complying with these guidelines will be reminded of the policy, may be redirected to a more appropriate location, and may be asked to leave the Library if they are unwilling to comply.

1. General

  1. Non-messy, non-greasy, non-odorous individual food and beverages are generally permitted in public areas throughout the Library, provided patrons clean up after themselves and alert staff immediately to spills.
  2. Unattended food and drink openly displayed in public areas may be discarded.
  3. Library users are liable for any damage to library materials, equipment or property as a result of food or beverages brought onto the premises. Costs for damaged materials and/or equipment will be assessed to the patron responsible for damages.
  4. All trash must be disposed in the appropriate receptacles; recycling must follow all local guidelines – do not place dirty or food covered recyclables into recycling bins.
  5. For programs or events that generate large quantities of trash, you may be asked to take trash with you at the conclusion of the event.

 

2. Food

 

  1. Food is not allowed in 219 / 10-seat Conference Room when visitors are working with historical documents.
  2. Delivery of food to patrons is not permitted except for Library programs.
  3. Light, pre-packaged snacks that are not damaging to the collections or distracting to other patrons are permitted throughout the Library.
  4. Hot, messy, greasy or odorous foods such as pizza, burgers, fries, sandwiches, salads, and fast food are limited to the Friends Corner.
  5. Food is meant to be consumed. Using food inappropriately (throwing food, using food to vandalize property) is not permitted.
  6. Food waste should be disposed of in receptacles in the Friends Corner or outside.
  7. Due to food allergies, we require surfaces (tabletops, keyboards, computers) to be disinfected immediately after food and beverage consumption. Please see a staff member for cleaning products.

 

3. Beverages

 

  1. Beverages are not allowed in 219 / 10-seat Conference Room when visitors are working with historical documents.
  2. Non-alcoholic beverages in closable, spill-proof containers such as travel mugs, plastic bottles with screw on or snap-shut tops, or cans which have snap-on lids are permitted throughout the Library.
  3. Glass bottles are not recommended.
  4. Patrons with beverages should exercise caution and dispose of trash appropriately, which may mean using a sink to dispose of liquids.
  5. Possession or consumption of alcohol is not permitted. An exception may be allowed for functions with appropriate supervision (TIPS certified server) and permitting from Town of Grafton.

 

4. Kitchen Use

 

  1. The Kitchen has not been formally established as a Community Kitchen and is a small-scale catering kitchen available ONLY to groups convening a meeting during a meal, groups intending to serve refreshments as part of a program or meeting, and Library staff presenting or contracting a Library program.
  2. The Kitchen is not available to patrons who want to heat up a meal or cook at the Library.
  3. Kitchen use can be requested through the Meeting Room reservation (booked in advance by a Grafton resident with a library card in good standing) with use of the Community Room 103.
  4. Orientation to the Kitchen is required before the meeting commences, and is provided by the administrative team.
  5. A One-Day Food Permit may be required by the Grafton Board of Health, as the Library's Food Permit does not cover public use or food consumption of groups in non-Library affiliated programs or meetings.
  6. Food and beverages may not be left in the Library's refrigerator, cabinets, or meeting room after the program.
  7. A cleaning fee will be charged to meeting conveners per the Facility Rental Policy if the kitchen is not appropriately cleaned and sanitized, with trash removed. A checklist of cleaning tasks will be made available.

 

5. Food Preparation and Service

 

  1. Staff:
    • Cooking and preparing of food is allowed for Library programs, only in the Community Kitchen, by trained and certified Library staff under the Library's current food permit, under supervision of a ServSafe certified Food Manager.
    • Staff under supervision must hold Food Handler, Allergen Aware, Crowd Manager, and Community First Aid certifications.
  2. Public Meeting:
    • Food and beverages from licensed vendors or packaged for individual sale are allowed.
    • Cooking and preparing of food by members of the public for public meetings is allowed only in the Community Kitchen, by trained and certified patrons, under supervision of a ServSafe certified Food Manager with additional Crowd Manager and Community First Aid certifications.
    • Conveners or guests preparing, serving or otherwise handling food under this supervision must individually hold Food Handler and Allergen Aware Certifications.
  3. Private Facility Rental:
    • Follow direction from local Board of Health.
  4. Potluck:
    • Potluck is allowed under MGL Part I Title XV Chapter 94 Section 328A / Chapter 230 of the Acts of 2014, Act Relative to Potluck Events.

Should any patron be dissatisfied with the reasonable accommodations offered, they may follow the appeals process as outlined on the library's website.

Adopted, Grafton Public Library Board of Trustees, August 30, 2023
Reviewed: