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Announcements and Exhibits Policy

July 2021

As an educational and cultural institution and as part of its public service, the Library welcomes community announcements, exhibits, and displays of interest.  The Library provides information through displays, handouts, exhibits, bulletin board posts, and fence banners in designated areas. The Library adheres to the Library Bill of Rights listed at the end of this document.

Priority and Approval

The Library has first priority for all exhibit and display spaces to use for library purposes. Approval for all exhibits and displays rests with the Library Director or an appointed staff member. Unapproved materials will be disposed of at the Library’s discretion.

Eligibility and Space Availability

Materials may be provided by the Library or other non-profit organizations, community groups, individuals, educational institutions, or governmental agencies. Information by for-profit entities may be considered if events are free or announce job opportunities. Exhibit and display space is available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of groups requesting this service. Fence banners will be allowed for one-month term. 

Exhibits of a pornographic, polemic, or discriminatory nature will be refused.

Limitations

The Library reserves the right to limit the size and number of items, the schedule of any display, and frequency with which the group or organization may have a display. Exhibits in the Library are seen by everyone during regular business hours, including children and adults. The materials of the exhibits and displays must therefore meet the standard acceptable to the community. Partisan political, religious, and commercial material is strictly avoided.

Endorsement

Distribution or posting of materials does not necessarily indicate the Library’s endorsement of the issues or events promoted by the materials.

Fees

All exhibits and displays are offered to the Library on a voluntary, non-fee basis.

Security and Liability

The Library assumes no liability in the event of damage, destruction, or theft of a display.

Library Bill of Rights

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.