Exhibits and Displays

Effective Date: July 15, 2019

The Wayne County Public Library subscribes to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights as it applies to exhibit spaces, specifically: 


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.  (Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.} 


The words “exhibit” and “display” are used interchangeably.  Exhibit and display spaces are used primarily for the promotion of library materials, programs, and services, and preference shall always be given to library needs.  When these spaces are not otherwise in use, the library may provide, at its discretion and subject to the stipulations below, space for the display of collections or materials which are of general interest to the public.  All displays will be designed to be consistent with the Library’s mission to provide an environment that enriches lives and fosters a strong community. 


Displays promoting local educational, cultural, or recreational opportunities are encouraged.  A personal or private collection must be of general interest to the public.  
The following categories of display material are specifically excluded:  

  • Displays which only serve to advertise active business or commercial ventures;  
  • Partisan materials which promote current political candidates, campaigns, parties, or issues;  
  • Any items or images containing nudity, violence, intimidation of an individual or group, obscenity (as defined in sections 2907.01 and 2907.31 of the Ohio Revised Code), sexual images, or graphic medical images. 


The library reserves the right to approve the content and arrangement of all displays, and the director or the director’s designee shall make the final determination as to whether materials comply with these guidelines. 


The library assumes no responsibility for the preservation, protection or possible damage or theft of any item displayed. Items are placed on display in the library at the owner’s risk. All exhibitors will sign a form that releases the library from any responsibility for displayed items.  Exhibitors using library display cases, or exhibit space assume responsibility for any damage they incur to library property. 


Requests for display space will be made on the Request for Public Display form and approved by the Director or the Director’s designee.  Requests for space are filled on a first-come, first served basis.   


The presence of a particular display in the library does not necessarily indicate that the Board of Trustees, the Administration, or the Staff of the Wayne County Public Library either advocate or endorse the viewpoints of exhibits or exhibitors.  Each display shall also include the name and contact information for the individual or group responsible for the display. 
 
Art sales are permissible only through Wayne County Public Library Friends’ groups.  Sales are to be conducted privately between the artist and the Friends; Wayne County Public Library staff cannot be involved in any part of the sale. During the exhibit, the Friends of the Library may provide a list of works for sale with prices. Prices may not be listed directly on artwork or on accompanying gallery cards.  
 
It is the responsibility of the individual or organization to set up and remove the display on agreed-upon dates.  The library cannot provide storage for property of organizations or individuals displaying in the library.  If a display exceeds its allocated display duration, Library staff may remove it and the display owner must retrieve it from the library.  The library will attempt to contact the owner twice within ten days of the display close. If the owner does not respond after ten days, the items will become property of the Library to dispose of as It sees fit. In doing so, the Library will follow its established practices for disposal of surplus property. 
 
Staff Displays 
 
Displays created by Library staff are a valuable part of the Library’s public service outreach.  The purpose of staff displays is to: 

  • Promote the diverse holdings of the Library’s collections, resources, and services
  • Educate the community on relevant topics
  • Support Library events, programs, activities, and accomplishments 

Any objections to exhibits or displays, public or staff developed, should be made in writing by submitting a Request for Reconsideration form.