Policy for Exhibits & Displays

Effective date: July 1, 2012

Adopted by the Board of Trustees: June 19, 2012

General Policy

The Gaston County Public Library provides space in the Main and branch library facilities for exhibits and displays of educational, cultural, civic, or recreational content. Content that is purely commercial, false, misleading, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inflammatory is prohibited. Exhibit cases and display areas are made available to community groups, organizations, and individual citizens on an equitable basis and use is not denied or abridged because of race, religion, age, gender, national origin, handicapping condition, beliefs, affiliations, or social and/or political views. The library subscribes in principle to the statements of policy on library philosophy expressed in the Library Bill of Rights and its official interpretations as adopted by the American Library Association, and it should be considered as an integral part of this policy. Copies of this document can be found in the Intellectual Freedom Manual, Eighth Edition, compiled by the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association in 2010, located in the Reference section (R 025.213 INT) at each Gaston County Public Library facility.

No Endorsement

Acceptance of an exhibit or the display of items in a Library facility does not constitute endorsement of the beliefs, viewpoints, policies, or affiliations of the exhibitor by the Library, the Board of Trustees of the Gaston County Public Library, or the Gaston County Board of Commissioners.

Scheduling & Equitable Use

Exhibit reservations are taken in person or by telephone at each Library location. Exhibits must be approved and scheduled in advance. Display cases and wall spaces are booked for one calendar month per exhibit. The number and frequency of exhibits per individual or group is based on, and limited by, demand. The exhibitor is responsible for installation and removal of contents displayed.

Pamphlets, brochures, flyers, or other printed matter must be approved for posting or public distribution in the Library. The Library cannot commit bulletin board and display rack space to any individual or organization for ongoing informational or promotional purposes.

Sale of Items

The Library cannot sell, or promote the sale of, items exhibited or displayed. A price list and/or business cards can be provided to interested viewers. Or, the Library will forward inquiries to the exhibitor.

Liability

Exhibit and display materials that could cause damage or result in excessive wear and tear to display cases, walls, bulletin boards, or display racks are not permitted. Posters, banners, tags, labels, etc. cannot be affixed to walls, ceilings, doors, furniture, or otherwise displayed on Library property without permission.

While precautions are taken to protect exhibits and displays, the Library is not liable for any loss of, or damages to, items contained therein. The Library cannot be held liable for personal injuries sustained, or materials or personal belongings left, while setting up or removing exhibits and displays.

The Library Director and designated Library employees are authorized to deny or terminate exhibit and display privileges to individuals or groups who violate this Policy for Exhibits and Displays and/or the Library's Disruptive Behavior Policy. An authorized adult representative of the individual or group exhibitor must sign and date an Exhibit / Display Acceptance Form to signify compliance prior to installing an exhibit or display.

Library Enforcement

Responsibility for the enforcement and interpretation of this policy is delegated to the Library Director or his/her designee. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Library Director on the Statement of Concern About Library Exhibits / Displays / Meetings form. Appeal of the Library Director's decisions is made to the Library Board of Trustees.