The Programming Department, now known as Public Relations, began early in the library's life. In September 1898, Nature Day drew 700 people. In 1899, Indian Day featured artifacts and drew 200 people, according to the newspaper.

In the years since, the library has established itself as a major regional cultural center. Programs featuring prominent artists, thinkers and authors have been presented by the library, which considers programming an important service in reaching out to the community and enhancing collections. Regular programming includes the Writing Out Loud series, foreign/independent film series, family films in Washington Park, Bookmarks, and other events.

Contact Us

Michigan City Public Library
Robin Kohn - Public Relations
100 E. 4th Street
Michigan City, IN 46360
219-873-3049
E-mail

Meeting Room Policy

Purpose

The purpose of the library meeting room is to provide space for programs or meetings either sponsored by the library or initiated by the public for cultural, educational, or informational purposes.

Types of Meetings

All meetings scheduled in the meeting room shall be free and open to the public.

The meeting room is not to be used for solicitation purposes. The library adheres to a strict no solicitation policy in the building and on its grounds with the exception of library and Friends of the Library business.

Library premises may be used for non-partisan political meetings or events such as candidate's nights, which invite all candidates and are sponsored by independent organizations.

Library premises may be used by religious groups in order to hold non-denominational or interdenominational meetings.

Private social gatherings are not permitted.

Only the library or library-related groups may conduct a fundraiser in the library.

Facilities & Fees

The full meeting room has a seated capacity of 125. A half-room divider can create two rooms.

Groups serving food and.or beverages must provide their own supplies. All groups are responsible for cleaning up after their meeting and leaving the room as they found it.

The meeting room is free of charge. Groups who wish to serve refreshments at their meeting must pay a $10 fee to cover cleaning costs.

Scheduling and Reservations

Library-sponsored activities will always take precedence when scheduling meeting room use. Non-library groups who wish to use the room will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. To check meeting room availability, please call (219) 873-3049 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meeting room reservations will not be considered final until the library has reviewed the application. The application must contain complete information about the nature and content of the program. The library reserves the right to refuse a group based on an incomplete application and/or a program that is not in keeping with the purpose of the room and the policies of the library.

Meetings are to be scheduled during regular library hours. All meetings must end 15 minutes prior to the library's scheduled closing time.

Library Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The library is closed on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.

The meeting room application and applicable fee must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the desired meeting date. The application may be mailed to the library, faxed to (219) 873-3475, or turned in to the Circulation Desk to the attention of Robin Kohn.

The library cannot guarantee the meeting room to non-library groups more than 90 days or less than one week in advance. No more than two meetings per calendar year may be held by individuals or groups that are not library sponsored. If your meeting has been canceled or postponed, please notify the library as soon as possible. Another group may be waiting to use the room.

Rules for Meeting Room Use

No activitiy shall be permitted which shall in any manner be potentially or directly destructive to library property or to the operation of the library. Organizations that reserve the meeting room assume full financial responsibility for any damage incurred resulting from the use of the meeting room.

The library assumes no responsibility for the personal belongings of those attending meetings.

Permission to use the meeting room does not in any way constitute approval or endorsement by the library of the group's policies, beliefs, or activities.

Medical organizations using the room to perform tests, vaccinations, or other procedures are responsible for the clean up and disposal of any medical and/or hazardous waste.

Alcoholic beverages may not be served or consumed in the library.

No smoking is permitted in the library.

All open flames, including the use of candles, are prohibited.

The use of balloons or other non-secured decorations is prohibited in the library.

Writing Out Loud

Writing Out Loud is a contemporary author series featuring writers talking about and reading from their work. Over the past 27 years, 123 nationally known writers and poets, including Frank Delaney, Joyce Carol Oates, Gwendolyn Brooks, Haki Madhubuti, Jane Hamilton, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Andrew Greeley, and Brad Meltzer, have appeared at the library.

Writing Out Loud will begin its 29th season in September 2013. Each reading will be held at Michigan City Public Library. Admission is free. The Friends of the Library will host a reception following each program and a book signing will be sponsored by the Bookstore at Lighthouse Place. Call 219-873-3049 for more information. Presented by the Michigan City Public Library Endowment Fund, the Friends of the Library, and Patrons of Writing Out Loud.

Film Series

Each spring and fall, the library, in conjunction with the La Porte County Public Library and Purdue University North Central's Odyssey Cultural Arts Program, sponsors a Film Series. Each season, we screen contemporary foreign and independent American films in the library meeting room. All films are free and open to the public.