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Astoria Library Board recommends free Flag Room use for local nonprofits, $50 hourly for outsiders
Summary
The Astoria Library Board voted 4–0 to amend the meeting room policy and recommend to City Council that local non-profits and local community-based organizations be exempt from Flag Room rental fees while commercial and non-local groups be charged $50 per hour; Director Suzanne Harold will present the recommendation to City Council on Oct. 20, 2025.
The Astoria Library Board voted unanimously Oct. 7 to amend the library meeting room policy and recommend to Astoria City Council that local nonprofits and local community-based organizations be exempt from rental fees for the Veterans Memorial Flag Room, while commercial entities and non-local groups pay $50 per hour.
The motion to amend the meeting room policy was moved by Vice Chair Dan McClure and seconded by Chair Laura Parker; the board approved the amendment 4–0 (Ayes: Parker, McClure, Tisdale, Bartell). Director Suzanne Harold confirmed she will present the board’s recommendation to City Council at its Oct. 20, 2025 meeting.
Board members framed the change as a way to keep the newly renovated spaces accessible to local community groups while ensuring a modest fee revenue stream from commercial users and out-of-town organizations. McClure said he had heard community enthusiasm about the renovation’s progress, and members discussed how fee exemptions could affect small non-profits with tight budgets.
Members debated how to define “local” for the exemption. Suggestions included limiting exemptions to organizations within ZIP code 97103 (the library’s taxing jurisdiction), county-wide organizations, groups with Astoria representation, or entities that serve local organizations. The board did not adopt a final geographic definition at the meeting and left that detail for staff and council consideration.
The amendment revises the Library Meeting Room Policy language to read that the Flag Room will be available at no cost for local community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and government organizations, and at $50 per hour for commercial entities and non-local community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and government organizations.
Next steps: Director Harold will present the board’s recommended language and fee schedule to Astoria City Council on Oct. 20, 2025 for final consideration. If the council adopts the recommendation, staff will implement the revised reservation and fee procedures and monitor usage and community feedback.
