Administrative Procedure #10.10 - Public Use of Library Displays, Exhibits, and Bulletin Boards
Purpose
To govern the public use of the Library’s displays, exhibits, and bulletin boards.
Community bulletin boards and exhibit spaces shall be available to all persons and groups, for any purpose consistent with the laws of the State of Oregon, ordinances of the City of Corvallis, and the Library's Code of Conduct. The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library makes its display areas and bulletin boards available to the public, but neither approves nor disapproves of any viewpoint expressed by the users of the display areas or bulletin boards.
Scope
Applies to all users at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library except the City of Corvallis, the Library, Friends of the Library, and the Library Foundation.
Procedures
a. The Library reserves the right to refuse to post and the right to remove announcements, posters, displays, or exhibits which, in its judgment, do not meet the criteria.
b. The Library reserves the right to establish certain bulletin boards and display areas for certain purposes. The Library may restrict the purpose of certain bulletin boards and display areas and reserves the right to remove and dispose of postings or displays from any given bulletin board or display if the posting or display is not consistent with the purpose of that bulletin board or display area.
c. Acceptance of material for display does not imply approval or disapproval by the Library of the ideas or opinions expressed. The Library does not assume responsibility or liability for materials exhibited in Library facilities. The Library will post signs with a disclaimer stating that the Library does not endorse any goods or services, makes no representation as to the accuracy of information, and assumes no liability for the quality or safety of any goods or services, which may be the subject of postings or displays.
d. Only the Library's established display systems, such as display cases, display area shelving, bulletin boards, and wall hanging systems, may be used for materials on display. Nothing may be attached to the Library's walls, windows, doors, acoustical, panels, or other places using tape, pins, staples, or other materials.
e. All displays, exhibits, and bulletin board postings shall be temporary. Each Library display area subject to reservation may be booked no more than six months in advance and may be reserved once each January-June and July-December. All bulletin board postings shall be dated. The Library reserves the right to establish reasonable time limits of no more than 30 days for any announcement, poster, display, or exhibit and to remove postings because of time and space considerations.
Goals
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library provides the community temporary space for displays, exhibits, and bulletin boards to further the Library's mission and to benefit the community.
Guidelines
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is guided by the following American Library Association statements on access to information:
- The Library Bill of Rights
- Freedom to Read Statement
- Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights: User-Initiated Exhibits, Displays and Bulletin Boards
The Library does not endorse any goods or services; makes no representation as to the accuracy of information; and assumes no liability for the accuracy, quality, or safety of any viewpoints, goods, or services, which may be the subject of postings or displays.
Those who object to any display content are able to request a reconsideration, similar to challenging any library resource. Library workers should not censor or remove materials from exhibits, displays, or areas designated for the distribution of information because someone may disagree with the content or with the identity, beliefs, or affiliations of the sponsors.
Review/Update
The Library Director will prepare this Administrative Policy for review as needed for City Manager approval.
Last reviewed: 08-2021
