Display and Exhibit Policy

APPROVED BY LIBRARY BOARD November 19, 2024 

Purpose 

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) will offer displays and exhibits that appeal to a range of ages, interests, and informational needs of the Huntsville-Madison County community. Displays and exhibit materials will be based on the suitability of the subject and style for the intended audience. Acceptance of a display or exhibit topic by the Library does not constitute an endorsement by HMCPL of the content of the display or exhibit, or of the views expressed in the materials on display. The library will not display materials that violate applicable laws or regulations. 

The Executive Director holds the final responsibility for the display of library materials, but employees throughout the library share day-to-day responsibility. Library staff uses the following criteria in making decisions about display topics, materials, and accompanying resources: 

  • Community needs and interest 
  • Availability of display space 
  • Historical, cultural, or educational significance 
  • Connection to other community or national programs, exhibitions, or events 
  • Relation to library collections, resources, exhibits, and programs 
  • The HMCPL may partner with other community agencies, organizations, educational institutions, or individuals to develop and present co-sponsored displays and exhibits. 

Staff will actively monitor displays to ensure materials included comply with the policy.  However, the Staff and Library Board hold no responsibility for any unapproved changes made by Library users. When such modifications are found, Staff will immediately inform the Executive Director and Branch Manager. 

Examples of unauthorized modifications include, but are not limited to:

  • Addition of unapproved materials to a display.  
  • Placement of adult materials on displays located in the juvenile and young adult sections of a Library.  
  • Removal of materials that an individual finds personally objectionable.

Statements of Concern 

Should a patron of HMCPL take issue with the inclusion of a specific item in a display they may complete and submit a “Statement of Concern about Library Resources” form. For further details, please see the Statement of Concern policy. https://www.hmcpl.org/policies/concerns 

Distribution of Free Non-library Materials 

HMCPL has a limited amount of space available for the distribution of free literature and displays. Only materials for non-profit organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities in the community may be displayed. HMCPL does not endorse the activities and information contained in these non-library displays and promotional materials. 

Guidelines for the display of nonprofit organization materials and information: 

  • Materials must be approved by the Library Department or Branch Manager where the display will be located. 
  • Political campaign advertising and notices advocating or promoting partisan political issues will not be allowed. 
  • Materials will be displayed for limited periods of time only. Items will be removed at the discretion of the library staff. 
  • HMCPL reserves the right to establish time, place, and manner restrictions for the display of materials. The HMCPL also reserves the right to restrict the geographic area from which materials will be accepted and to determine the frequency with which material may be posted for the same group. 

Display Case and Exhibit Policy 

Some locations of HMCPL have display cases and/or exhibit space available for limited use by the public. As an educational and cultural institution, HMCPL will display and exhibit artwork or information of interest and enlightenment to the library community in order to further the following purposes: 

  • To increase awareness of the library's resources, including but not limited to library collections, services, events, and activities. 
  • To fulfill the library’s mission to empower individuals to create their own futures, explore the universe of ideas, and connect with our community and the world. 
  • To highlight eligible non-profit organizations, including the Friends of the Library or Huntsville Madison-County Library Foundation, governmental agencies (groups sponsored by a city, county, state, or federal agency), and individuals engaged in intellectual, charitable, civic, cultural, educational, or recreational activities in Huntsville, Madison and/or Madison County. 
  • The cases may not be used for exhibits that are commercial in nature, promote a specific religious concept, encourage partisan politics, or demean groups or individuals. 

For additional information about reserving display cases or exhibit space, request information at the specific branch of interest. 

Approved Date:  11/19/2024