The Library supports its mission of connecting people with the world of ideas and information by developing exhibits and by providing exhibit space to external organizations and individuals at the Downtown Main Library and selected branches. By providing additional opportunities for information, learning and entertainment, exhibits become an integral component of library service that:
- Expand the Library’s role as a community resource
- Introduce customers and non-users to library resources
- Provide entertainment
- Provide opportunities for lifelong learning
- Expand the visibility of the Library
Ultimate responsibility for exhibits at the Library rests with the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director, who administers under the authority of the Board of Trustees. The Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director, in turn, delegates the authority for exhibit management to the Library Services Director, who oversees this responsibility through the Programs & Exhibits Office and designated staff.
Exhibit space is available to external organizations and individuals when the space is not used for library purposes. In making decision about exhibits from external organizations or individuals, staff utilize the following criteria:
- Availability of exhibit space
- Facility capabilities
- Intended audience
- Treatment of content for exhibition in a public space
- Artistic quality
- Budget
- Relevance to community interests and issues
- Historical or educational significance
- Connection to other community exhibitions, programs or events
- Relation to library collections, resources, exhibits and programs
Priority is given to those exhibits that attract a wide audience and exhibits that provide a diversity of viewpoints in a wide variety of civic, educational, cultural or intellectual activities.
The Library retains final authority over the review, selection, content, and arrangement of all exhibitions at library facilities and reserves the right to reject any part of an exhibit. Exhibit spaces may not be used for commercial, religious, or partisan purposes, solicitation of business, or for profit-making purposes. The Library does not engage in the sale of any material displayed in an exhibition or provide pricing information within the exhibition. The provision of exhibit space in library facilities does not constitute library endorsement of the beliefs or viewpoints of exhibit content or the individuals or groups responsible for an exhibit.
Library exhibit space is open to and accessible by all members of the public. The library encourages open access to ideas and does not knowingly discriminate through its exhibits. Exhibits will not be excluded from consideration because of the origin, background, or views of exhibit creators or because of possible controversy.
All exhibitors are required to sign an exhibitor agreement.
Exhibitors are responsible for their own insurance coverage. The Library assumes no insurance liability for materials on exhibit, unless legally required to do so.
External organizations or individuals partnering with the Library on exhibits must coordinate marketing efforts with the Library’s Marketing Department.
The Library retains the right to deny exhibit space to any user whose planned use of the space does not comply with the terms of this policy.
The Library welcomes expressions of opinion from customers concerning exhibits in library facilities. If a customer questions the content, tone or placement of an exhibit, he/she should first address the concern with a library staff member. Customers who wish to continue their request for review of library exhibits may submit the Request for Reconsideration form. Requests for review of exhibits will be considered in the same manner as requests for reconsideration of library materials as outlined in the Library’s Collection Development Policy.
