Events Policy

For inquiries about renting out the Lakmahal Community Library for an event please email our Programmes and Communications Manager at events@lakmahal.lk

Purpose

Lakmahal Community Library aims to be a creative and recreational space which encourages and facilitates community led programmes as well as hosting events and programmes that foster creativity, education, understanding and critical thinking. We aim to enrich the community by encouraging everyone to engage in the literary arts and foster their own artistic growth. 

The Space

Lakmahal has four spaces available for public use. They are the main library hall, the wood room, the half moon verandah and the garden. The capacity in the rooms are:

Main library hall: This space has a capacity of 40-80 persons. It can seat up to 60 individuals in chairs arranged in theater style, or 22 people seated at tables and 20 people on the floor cushions. When this space is used for events, the library cannot be open to the public. 

Wood room: This space has a capacity of 40-70 persons. It can seat up to 40 individuals in chairs arranged in theater style, or 25 people seated at tables and 10 people on the floor.

Half moon verandah: This space has a capacity of 20 people and can seat up to 20 individuals in chairs only or 10  people seated at tables.

Garden: The two garden spaces have a capacity of 60 – 100 people. The square garden in front of the Half Moon Verandah can accommodate 30 people seated theater style, or 20 people seated at tables. There is standing space for 30. The long front garden can accommodate 40 people seated theater style and 30 people at tables.

Please also note that Lakmahal does not have dedicated parking.  All vehicles need to be parked on Alfred House Road or in the vicinity and not along the access road to the library. 

To view images of the library interior please visit our Library Facilities page.

Availability

Library working hours are 9am to 6pm from Wednesdays to Sundays (closed on mercantile holidays). Events outside these hours will be scheduled by the Library Manager. 

Rental fees

The rental fees will depend on the type of event, the scope of the event, and the duration of the event. The events and programmes manager will, after discussing with the event organisers the details of the event, issue a quotation of the rental cost. To get an idea of how the rental cost is decided, please see the following flowchart. 

Please note:

  • The rental period must include pre-event set up and post-event clean up time.
  • Organisers will be required to pay the total rental fee plus an additional refundable deposit of 50% of the total fee before the event. The booking will be finalized only after this payment is made.

Types of events and programmes

As stated above, LCL will prioritize events with a focus on literature, creative writing, storytelling, and broader engagement with the literary arts. Some examples of such events are as follows;

  • Book clubs – private and public
  • Book launches 
  • Performances, film screenings, and open mic sessions
  • Talks and panel discussions centering on literature, storytelling, and the arts
  • Creative workshops

User Protocol and Policies

  1. LCL reserves the right to cancel any reservation with 48 hours notice. In such cases there will be a full refund of the fees paid in advance. Organisers may also cancel any reservation up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled event. If organisers cancel the event less than 48 hours before its scheduled time, LCL will keep the refundable deposit and the rental fees will be refunded. 
  2. LCL spaces may not be used to hold religious events or for rallies, demonstrations or other similar political events. 
  3. Activities involving more than normal wear and tear on the spaces will not be permitted, i.e. projects involving materials which might cause damage or any digging up of the lawn or garden. Classes or demonstrations involving the use of hazardous materials and/or weapons are not permitted. 
  4. All activities carried out on the premises must be legal. Any illegal activity or uses which advocate or incite illegal activities are not permitted.
  5. Groups of individuals under 18 years of age may use the space but must be accompanied by one adult for every 10 children in attendance.
  6. Organisers are required to leave the spaces as they found them. The place must be cleaned, the furniture restored to its original positions and all waste disposed of in the bins provided. 
  7. LCL cannot provide catering services but are happy for the organisers to do so. A sink is available near the front wall and can be used to wash crockery etc.  
  8. Organisers are financially responsible for any damage caused to the building, the furniture, equipment and other property of LCL beyond the usual wear and tear. A refundable deposit will be retained at the point of application and refunded once the managers are happy that no damage has been incurred. 
  9. The fact that a group is permitted to meet at the community library does not constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs.