Exhibition & Display Policy

The Highland Park Public Library (HPPL) creates, curates, hosts and displays exhibitions as per the following policy on exhibitions and displays: 

Exhibitions are curated by HPPL Librarians or developed in partnership with other community entities. Exhibitions may be composed of “1) Literary and historic resources from the library collections, 2) objects from personal collections of guest curators or other collaborators of all ages, and/or 3) art and related materials.”

Exhibitions and displays are displayed throughout the Library in the Meeting Room, open public spaces, and in designated display cases. The library’s decision to display material does not constitute endorsement of its content. Exhibitions and displays conform to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which states:

  • “Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.” (Article I)
  • “Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” (Article II)
  • “Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.” (Article VI)

When developing and selecting materials for an exhibition or display, curators should consider the following, based on the Highland Park Public Library selection criteria, as appropriate: 

  • Educational significance
  • Representation of diverse materials, contributors and creators
  • Community relevance and appeal
  • Quality of materials and variety of format
  • Location of the works displayed in the exhibition
  • Potential for public programming to accompany the exhibition
  • Validity, currency, and appropriateness of the materials
  • Contribution the material makes to the breadth of representative viewpoints on controversial issues
  • Duration
  • Integrity

Proposals: The director of the Highland Park Public Library is responsible for making the final decision about exhibitions and displays hosted in HPPL spaces. Those interested in presenting an exhibition or display should submit a Proposal Form to the director for approval, allowing a minimum of four weeks for review prior to scheduling.

OTHER LOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Gallery Hours: Exhibition spaces will be scheduled in accordance with Library operating hours.

Supplies/Installation: 

  • Curators or collaborators are responsible for installing and de-installing their exhibition or display at agreed upon dates. The library is not responsible for materials left beyond closing date.
  • Piercing or adhering anything to the walls or library surfaces is prohibited without prior permission.
  • The Library Meeting Room has a hanging track system for rotating exhibitions. Methods of display will be determined with Library staff.

Publicity & Promotion: 

  • Posters/flyers must be approved by HPPL prior to posting.
  • HPPL and its presenting partners reserve the right to promote exhibitions and displays via e-newsletter, website calendars and social media channels as appropriate.
  • Unless otherwise notified in writing by the artist, HPPL may reproduce the objects for educational materials and publicity purposes.
  • Wall labels are encouraged; posting of labels will be done in coordination with the Library.

REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION

The Highland Park Public Library strives to maintain a well-rounded, diverse, and representative experience, and recognizes that library users differ in their opinions of the content of resources. Like all public libraries, HPPL contains resources that community members may find objectionable and omit others that some feel are important. In either case, the Library has procedures for users to request reconsideration of materials, exhibitions, displays, programs, and services.

The Library will not mark, label or otherwise identify materials to reflect any perceived approval or disapproval of their contents. Discretion for choosing materials to read, listen to or view rests with individual library users, and in the case of minors, with their parents or legal guardians.

The Library and its Board of Trustees recognize and respect the right of our users to question resources and selections. Users should address requests to reconsider exhibitions and displays to a library supervisor or the Library Director who will attempt to resolve the inquiry by a review of the criteria outlined within its policies. If users choose to pursue a more formal complaint process, the Library will provide a Request for Reconsideration form.

Upon formal written request through the HPPL Request for Reconsideration form, the Library Director will conduct a review using the criteria in the Exhibitions & Display Policy, and then the Director will contact the concerned individual in writing with the final decision. The Library will accept anonymous submissions but will not provide a direct response to such requests. Identified resources will remain in the library throughout the reconsideration process..

If unsatisfied with the decision, an individual may request placement of the inquiry on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Highland Park Public Library Board of Trustees for determination whether the response to the request for reconsideration has conformed with stated policies. Based on this determination, the Board of Trustees will make the final decision whether to uphold or override the decision of the Library Director.

Adopted July 20, 2022