Policies

Public Exhibits Policy

The exhibit and display policy is intended to guide the staff and public in the use of these areas at all libraries. These areas include, but are not limited to, exhibit cases, bulletin boards, tables, brochure displays, and free-standing panels.

In accordance with the Library Bill of Rights, to which Pender County Public Library subscribes, the library will make the exhibit and display areas "...available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use." The beliefs or contents of the displays or exhibits are not seen as an endorsement by the Library.

Objectives

The objectives of this service include:

1. To provide exhibits which may promote the use of library materials.
2. To provide a place of public display of materials in the community interest.
3. To provide a place for posting local and other informational materials.
4. To provide exhibit space of art, crafts, or other work of community groups and individuals.

Eligibility

An exhibit must meet the following guidelines:

1. It will not tend to incite produce lawless action.
2. It will not tend to be disruptive of other library functions.
3. It will not be obscene.
4. It will not obviously promote false or misleading information.
5. It will not be defamatory.

Policy

1. Exhibits must be in the public interest and must be educational in nature.
2. The Pender County Library Director reserves the right to approve all proposed exhibits.
3. Plans for the exhibit must be discussed with either a Library Associate or the Director.
4. Library exhibits have priority over the scheduling of public exhibits.
5. Exhibits must achieve a reasonable standard of appearance, meeting the approval of the library representative.
6. The library is not responsible for damage to, or theft of, displays or exhibits. The library staff will take reasonable care of exhibits.
7. Exhibits should not be left longer than two (2) weeks except by agreement with the library. Exhibits should be dismantled and picked up by the date agreed upon.
8. Gifts of exhibits for permanent display will not be accepted. Any gift accepted by the library becomes the sole property, and under control, of the library.
9. Exhibitors must sign an agreement to this policy before installing an exhibit.

Public Bulletin Boards

Public bulletin boards are maintained by the library as a public information display area. Announcements of events, meetings and services offered may be posted in these spaces.

The posting of such notices is limited to the available designated space and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Dated material will be removed by library staff after the announced event has passed. If there is no expiration date for a notice, items will be removed as space is needed for other listings.

When posting items, the oldest presently displayed announcement will be removed to provide needed space. No section of the display area may be reserved. The library staff will make certain the display area is maintained in a neat manner. This may involve the removal or rearrangement of notices to provide a neat appearance.

The library reserves the right to remove any material which is profane, pornographic, or offensive by community standards.

Free Literature

Community organizations and government agencies sometimes make their free publications available through the library. For some such literature, notably federal and state income tax return forms, etc. library staff supervise the acquisition and display of. Individuals and groups may place other free brochures, pamphlets, tabloids, etc. only in designated areas. This area may be adjusted accordingly if it interferes with other library purposes.

Adopted by the Pender County Library Advisory Board, July 23, 2003.