Purpose – The Board of Library Trustees may allow use of the Library’s exhibit space by individuals and groups for such civic, educational, philanthropic, and recreational purposes it deems for the interests of the community. Exhibit space will be granted on an equitable basis to qualified individuals or groups, regardless of their beliefs or affiliations, provided the content of the display is within the broad standards of community acceptability.
All library patrons who enter the building are exposed to an exhibit, depriving them of the opportunity to exercise free choice as to whether to view the exhibit. As is the case with book selection, the Library will exercise judgment as to current usefulness or interest, authority and competence of presentation, importance as a record of the times, relevance to the collection, and standards of quality in content and format. All sides of an issue deserve equal representation over time.
Exhibit spaces may not be used for entrepreneurial or commercial purposes, for the solicitation of business, for profit or for fundraising. Religious proselytizing and partisan political recruitment are similarly prohibited; educational exhibits on these subjects are allowed. Use of exhibit spaces for Library purposes takes precedence over other uses.
The Library reserves the right to refuse or remove any material judged unsuitable or to rescind an exhibit for violation of this policy. Acceptability of an exhibit is at the discretion of the Library Director, whose decisions may be appealed to Board of Library Trustees.
Impartiality – In presenting exhibits, the Library does not imply endorsement of the beliefs or viewpoints of their subject matter. The Library endeavors to present a broad spectrum of opinions and a variety of viewpoints. Those objecting to an exhibit may submit their own proposal according to this policy.
Press releases or other promotion of the exhibit shall not imply endorsement of the viewpoints put forth in the exhibit. Publicity shall be written or approved by the Library.
Booking – Exhibit space may be booked through the Library Director’s office or by her designee and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibit space may be booked up to one year in advance. The duration of most exhibits will be one month; however, the Library reserves the right to schedule exhibits so as to present opposing viewpoints. Unless the library elects to do so, exhibitors will set up and remove their own exhibits.
The Library does not insure exhibits. The exhibitor assumes full responsibility for loss or damage to materials on display. All items placed in the Library are exhibited at the owner’s risk.
Exhibitors are advised since the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library does not insure for fire, theft, or other casualty resulting in loss, damage, or destruction of personal property belonging to private individuals while on display at the library, the Trustees of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, their agents, servants, and/or employees cannot and will not be held responsible for any damage or loss to works or collections while materials are on display at the library.
Adopted by the Board of Library Trustees, November 19, 1992. Revised September 19, 2001.
![[Wakefield Public Library]](http://www.wakefieldlibrary.org/wp-content/themes/wakefield/images/logo_hive_yellow.gif){kind=logo}