MERCER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY DISPLAY POLICY

Printable Application

Use of the display areas of the Mercer County Public Library has the purpose of broadening the Library's purpose to serve the people of Mercer County. Displays/exhibits can make users more aware of materials and services offered by the Library, as well as enhancing the aesthetics of the Library.

The Library is willing to share the display/exhibit areas with other individuals and organizations of the community for noncommercial use. All displays must adhere to the Library's purpose. It must be understood that to use these facilities is a privilege, not a right, and use is subject to review by the Board of Trustees.

The Mercer County Public Library has three principle areas for display/exhibit: the Entrance Gallery, the Glass Display Case and the Foyer Bulletin Board.

Permission to use the Entrance Gallery and the Display Case areas will be granted by the Library Director. Displays/exhibits will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis, though Library use will always have priority.

Any display in these areas must conform to following conditions.

  • The WEST FOYER BULLETIN BOARD is the only area in the Library on which posters/notices will be permitted to be displayed that advocate or solicit consideration of any product, service or item sold by any commercial, individual or charitable enterprise.
     

  • Only non-profit organizations shall be permitted to place in the Library's west foyer any box, receptacle, or canister, for solicitation of non-monetary contributions. Permission will be granted to one organization at a time, with a 30 day time limit. Receptacle size must be of a reasonable size and approved by the Library Director. Placement of receptacle must not endanger the safety or security of library users, employees or facilities.
     

  • No organization or individual shall be permitted to display or exhibit any materials, leaflets, or posters pertaining to a religious or political nature except on the WEST FOYER BULLETIN BOARD.

    •

    WEST FOYER BULLETIN BOARD

    • Purpose of Bulletin Board is to inform Mercer County

  • Citizens of cultural, religious and community organization events and services available. Advertisements for products and services for sale are permitted ONLY in this area.

    •

  • Business cards must be posted in the designated area of the Bulletin Board.
     

  • Bulletin Board Announcement area is the designated wall area opposite the public rest-rooms and water fountains.
     

  • Notices to be placed on Bulletin Board must be submitted to desk personnel.
     

  • Notice will be stamped with current date and may remain on the bulletin board for a maximum of 30 days. Any notice posted without a date stamped by library personnel will be removed.
     

  • Notice must be firmly posted on the bulletin board wall with tacks in each corner. Pushpins are available at the Circulation Desk.
     

  • At the end of the 30-day period, library staff will remove the notice. Library staff will remove notices of dated events as soon as date is over.
     

  • All notices will be disposed of after above dates. Notices will not be returned. If person needs notice back, it must be taken down by the person who posted it, before expiration date.

    •

    • No notice may be displayed over the top of another notice.

    THE ENTRANCE GALLERY (MAIN LIBRARY)

    The Gallery Area is a high traffic area for displays /exhibits of Library information, local artists and other cultural activities of our area, as well as displays/exhibits by local groups, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and local classrooms.

    • Any individual or group may complete an application to exhibit works in this Library area and the same may schedule a time for exhibit on a first come, first served basis. The application contains a notice releasing the library from responsibility for any loss or damage to the work exhibited. Further, the application provides information, with which the Library will provide limited publicity through the local newspaper.
       

    • The exhibitor must display the work safely, appropriately and attractively. Library staff will not be used for this purpose.
       

    • Exhibitor must remove the display at the agreed upon time, though maximum time will be 30 days.
       

    • Exhibitor must provide an attractive sign to introduce the display with artist's/group's name; type of media, etc. of exhibit.
       

    • Hanging of the display/exhibit can in no way damage the Library facilities or be a safety hazard for any person.

  • Placement of the exhibit must be mutually agreeable to both the Library Director and the exhibitor, and should in no way interfere with normal operation of the library.
     

  • When an exhibitor places an exhibit in the library that has the potential for sale, prices may not be displayed in the library, though a small notation of how to contact the exhibitor for such sales may be included on the sign, which introduces the display.

    •

    DISPLAY CASE (MAIN Library)

    Use of this display/exhibit area will follow the same guidelines, as outlined in the Entrance Gallery above. It must be kept in mind that this case has limited height. The top of the case can also be used for display. When using the case top for display, exhibitor must understand that the library assumes no liability for the safety or security of exhibit.