In some of its facilities the Springfield City Library maintains display space for the purpose of featuring library materials and programs, providing information about community groups and exhibiting works of individual artists, crafts people and collectors.
Exhibit Policy and Purpose
The library functions as an intellectual and cultural resource for the community. Exhibits and displays are a means through which the public can share experiences, appreciate special interests, and exchange information.
When not in use to promote library-related or City of Springfield activities or services, display and exhibit spaces are available to community groups or individuals engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities and will be provided on an equitable basis to any group or individual who agrees to the guidelines outlined below.
Exhibit areas are available on an equitable basis regardless of the beliefs of affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. Anyone who objects to or disagrees with the content of any exhibit is entitled to submit his/her own exhibit, which will be judged according to the policies established by the Springfield City Library Commission.
The fact that an organization or person is permitted the use of a library display space does not in any way constitute an endorsement by the library of their policies or beliefs.
In general, the library does not accept exhibits of a purely commercial nature, unless they have a special educational, informational, or cultural value to the community. The library does not accept any material being offered for sale to the public unless the proceeds directly benefit the library.
Exhibits are accepted at the discretion of the Branch Library Manager or the Library Director. The Library has the right to review the materials before the exhibit is installed. The library will not accept displays or exhibits that are judged to be either illegal or inappropriate for public viewing (i.e. a place that is free and open to people of all ages). A decision not to accept materials for an exhibit may be appealed to the Library Commission.
Exhibit Guidelines
- Exhibit space must be reserved in advance, especially when the exhibit is designed to celebrate a particular date, such as an organization’s anniversary or a national observance.
- The exhibitor must sign an agreement to comply in good faith with the following conditions:
- Assume the risk of loss or damage to materials exhibited, as no insurance is provided by the library.
- Assume responsibility for installing and labeling the exhibit on the agreed upon date.
- Remove the exhibit promptly on the agreed upon date. The display period is normally one month, coinciding as closely as possible to the beginning and ending of the month.
- Give the library the right to remove exhibit materials if they aren’t picked up by the agreed upon date. Exhibit materials may be disposed of it not claimed within 30 days.
- Identify the exhibitor by name within the display.
- Refrain from commercial advertisement. Prices of items for sale may not be posted.
- A notice is to be posted with each exhibit stating that: The material within this exhibit is the presentation of the individual or organization named in the display. The library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of exhibits and exhibitors.
Download the Display Space Application Form – Revised 2016
Approved by the Springfield Board of Library Commissioners on June 15, 2004.