Frequently Asked Questions

Please email the Private Events Office at privateeventsoffice@jhu.edu to schedule a tour.

We only book wedding ceremonies in conjunction with catered receptions.

Yes! We welcome ALL couples and would love to host your event.

The George Peabody Library is a public library, so private events are scheduled outside of regular business hours unless special permission is granted. The library is available for rental Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays after 5:00pm, Mondays–Thursdays after 8:00pm. All events must end at or by midnight.

With a dance floor, the library will comfortably accommodate up to 170 guests seated. Without a dance floor, the space can accommodate 200 guests for a seated or standing reception.

The Library does not have an outdoor space available for rent. Please consider contacting our sister property, Evergreen Museum & Library if you are interested in an outdoor space.

Events booked Friday-Sunday include 4 hours of set-up. Events booked Monday-Thursday include 3 hours of set-up. Break-down for all events is limited to 1.5 hours. Should you need to extend this timing, the extra hour fee of $1,000 per hour would apply. Because Peabody is a public library, early deliveries and/or next-day pickups are not permitted. There is not a secure storage space available.

The rental rate includes exclusive use of the Exhibition Gallery and Reading Room. We will provide one venue manager, at least one student worker and one security guard. The Library also provides tables and chairs. A preparation suite is available one hour before the start time of your ceremony through the conclusion of your event. A complimentary coat check for guests is also available upon request.

Clients will need to purchase a liability insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000 for their event. This protects you from incurring fees for any potential damage to the property on the date of your event and covers your guests and vendors while at the Peabody Library. This policy can be easily purchased online or may also be added to a homeowners’ insurance policy. Typically, these policies cost less than $200 per event.

The library can also provide a baby-grand piano for a $250 tuning and set-up fee.

The Library does not permit candles or open flames of any kind, balloons, birdseed, confetti, potted plants, smoking, bubbles, sparklers, animals or amplified music in the adjacent Exhibit Gallery. Smoking of any kind, including electronic cigarettes is not allowed in any of the Peabody facilities.

We recognize that we probably have more rules than many venues, but they’re all there to protect the historic building and its collections. We’re happy to answer any questions you have, and we have plenty of ideas for customizing your event!

The Peabody Library recommends valet parking, as there is no parking provided or affiliated with the Library. If you would like to have full valet service at your event, Jay’s Valet (http://www.usevalet.com/) is our exclusive valet partner. Clients have also had great success using shuttle services or Uber Events codes.

Photography on the spiral staircase or the main staircase in the arcade is NOT permitted without prior approval in writing from the Private Events Office. No one is permitted on the upper levels of the library.

We are able to accommodate photo and film shoots in the library for a fee. Please email us at privateeventsoffice@jhu.edu for more information.

You must choose from one of our four exclusive caterers. All alcohol must be procured and served by one of our exclusive caterers. The Library does not permit beer kegs or drinking of shots.

Yes, we welcome large bands for your reception in the Reading Room. Please keep in mind we do not have a green room for bands. Also note, we recommend a guest count of no more than 150-160 if you plan to have a band.