We have a wide variety of rooms and display spaces available to book for talks, exhibitions, business meetings and other public and private events.
Locations available for hire
Please select the venue you are interested in, to see which spaces are available.
Bath Central Library has the following spaces:
- meeting room for up to 12 people
- children’s activity room
- exhibition room / gallery space
- two free-standing display cabinets
- four notice boards and space for displaying posters and leaflets
If you need to bring a lot of materials and equipment to your event, you may want to download our guidance on how to access the Bath Central Library Loading Bay for deliveries.
Local artists, clubs or groups can book the first floor Art Wall to display artworks such as painting and photographs free of charge.
- Keynsham Art Wall Conditions of Use and Booking Form
- See Art Wall at Keynsham One Stop Shop for more information.
- The Keynsham Community Space (above the One Stop Shop / Library) is also available for hire.
Facilities
Select the relevant areas, to check whether our rooms and exhibition spaces are suitable for you.
We offer room bookings per hour, per half day or per day, depending on your requirements. Normal opening hours may vary; please check with the library branch where you wish to hire space.
You can hire Bath Central Library for events outside normal opening hours, for an additional charge. Please call Council Connect on 01225 394041 or email councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk for more details.
Please visit other library branches to see if they can accommodate your out-of-hours event on a “trust” basis.
There are display spaces for artwork or similar material in all of our main library branches:
- Bath Central Library has an Exhibition room / Gallery space available for people and groups to display their exhibits, or for meetings of up to 75 people. It is advisable to request one week slots, although longer and shorter times may be available dependent on the dates you request.
- Midsomer Norton Library has wall space suitable for displaying art, but does not have the facilities for a full scale exhibition.
- Keynsham Library: Local artists, clubs or groups can book the first floor Art Wall to display paintings, photographs or other art FREE of CHARGE! For more information please visit Art Wall at Keynsham One Stop Shop.
For all exhibitions and displays, we will need to see a sample of your work, and any material you intend to distribute within our locations. You can submit this when you book, or by arranging a meeting with staff at the branch, no less than a month before your event.
We can hire space for you to create a manned commercial stall in some locations on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis. If you make a regular booking, we may offer you a price reduction. Space is limited, and you will need to arrange dates in advance. Some locations can also provide internet / telephone connection for kiosks and self service points.
You may sell items and take orders on the premises, but this will be subject to a 20% commission charge, which is payable immediately on completion of your event.
We can offer our public Internet Access computers during normal opening hours in libraries. 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 users of the building.
You can bring in your own electrical equipment, such as screens or audio equipment, to events in hired library spaces. You will need to provide evidence that they have been checked and certified as safe in the last year (a current PAT Test Certificate).
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. Organisers must make their own arrangements for Public Liability insurance cover.
When you complete the booking form, you need to tell us about the insurance you have chosen, as we cannot accept any bookings without adequate cover.
You can hire Bath Central Library's children’s activity room and small meeting room as a package for children’s birthday parties at set times of the day.
We cannot provide or serve refreshments for your events. If you wish to have food and drinks, you will need to supply them, ensure you have adequate utensils to consume them, and staff to serve refreshments, clear up the space, and dispose of your rubbish afterwards. You must leave the room in a condition which is usable for others, or an additional charge will be payable.
If you wish to serve alcohol for private out-of-hours functions, you will need to have evidence that you have booked a licence for this. You can get more details of the requirements by calling our Licensing Team on 01225 477531.
How to book
Please download our Room Hire Terms and Conditions and Hire of Library Spaces: Prices and Payment Information before making a room booking, to ensure we can meet your needs.
Bath Central Library bookings
Other locations
Securing your booking
If the dates you have asked for are available, you can make a provisional booking by paying a deposit of 50% of the full amount payable.
You will receive a letter confirming the dates and facilities that you have booked. This will also include payments you have already made, and any outstanding balance, with due dates for upcoming payments.
Please download, print and complete your room booking checklist, and get it signed by a member of library staff.
How to pay
We normally require a deposit of 50% of the total price when you make your booking. You should pay the remaining balance 28 days before your event is due to take place. If your initial request is made within 28 days of the event, then you will need to pay in full at the time of the booking.
We currently accept Cheques and Cash only. Please make cheques payable to Bath & North East Somerset Council. Please do not send any cash payments through the post.
Your payment should be posted or handed in with the relevant booking form and Premises Hire Agreement.
If you cancel your booking
You may cancel a booking at any time, but we will only refund the full hire fee if you inform us three months or more before the event.
Room hire cancellation refunds
| Notice before event | Refund amount |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | 100% of all payments |
| 60 to 90 days | 25% of any payments made |
| Less than 60 days | No refund (full hire charge is still payable) |