805. Display Policy


805.1

The Iowa City Public Library provides display facilities for public use. The purpose of the Library's display facilities is to increase public awareness of the Library's resources and to fulfill its mission to promote intellectual freedom, life-long learning, and the enhancement of cultural and leisure activities. Exhibits using these facilities shall further one or more of these purposes:
  1. to call attention to a theme related to library services, collections or programs
  2. to bring together library materials from several subject areas which related to a theme of current interest
  3. to highlight current issues, events or other subjects of public interest
  4. to display high quality original art, crafts, photographs or writings created by Iowa artists or contained in traveling exhibits
  5. to explain the activities of, or issues of interest to, local organizations and agencies engaged in educational, recreational, cultural, intellectual or charitable activities
  6. to display interesting collections or hobbies of local residents

805.2

The Library assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, damage or destruction of items left for display.

805.3

All displays must meet existing State and Federal laws on obscenity, libel, defamation of character or invasion of privacy.

805.4

The Library does not accept responsibility for ensuring that all points of view are represented in any single display. Granting of permission to display materials does not imply Library endorsement of content; nor will the Library accept responsibility for the accuracy of statements made in such materials.

805.5

The Library reserves the right to refuse display space to exhibits that, in its opinion, do not further the purpose in Section 805.1.

805.6

Library-produced or solicited displays have priority over displays proposed by non-library groups or individuals. Priority for displays is given to groups and individuals within Johnson County.

805.7

Displays of original art must be accepted for display by either the library display staff or the Board's Art Advisory Committee.

805.8

Sale of anything other than items that promote the mission or goals of the Iowa City Public Library is prohibited. Library display space may not be used as a sales gallery.

805.9

Name and contact information for the group or individual preparing the display must be a part of the display.

805.10

The Library may designate spaces for particular types of displays to make best use of display units and/or to make accessible to the intended audience.

805.11

All displays must adhere to established guidelines for mounting.

805.12

A single group or individual is limited to one one-month display in a twelve-month period.

805.13

Art Advisory Committee:

The Board shall establish an Art Advisory Committee.
  1. Duties
    1. To review periodically at the request of the display staff, proposals for shows of original art which have not been solicited by the staff to ensure that original art displayed in the Library is of high quality.
    2. To advise the Library Board on purchase or selection of permanent, original art and the selection staff on purchase of original art for the lending collection.

  2. Composition and terms
    3. The committee shall consist of six members who are knowledgeable in the field of art and who are appointed by the Board for staggered three-year terms and one Library staff member appointed by the Director to serve in a non-voting capacity. Current Library staff members are not eligible for Board appointment.


Adopted - 01/28/82
Revised - 08/82
Revised - 01/23/86
Revised - 12/15/88
Revised - 03/10/92
Revised - 06/25/92
Revised - 11/16/95
Revised - 12/16/99
Revised - 11/21/02
Revised - 10/27/05
Library Policies