Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Lake County Public Library - 5/28/15
It is the policy of the Library to make public forums available to the community for purposes that enhance the Library’s educational, cultural, and civic mission. The term “display” is used collectively to include handouts, flyers, posters, signs and exhibit items on library property. The Library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of exhibits or exhibitors using public forum locations.
Displays are for information about civic, cultural, educational and recreational programs of likely interest to the local community. The displays may include such forms as:
Presentation of books, visual arts, crafts, paintings/drawings, sculpture, and a variety of media.
Promotion of interest in the use of books and other library resources.
Information about community affairs, organizations, services and activities.
Civic groups, service clubs, non-profit organizations, and governmental units promoting free or nominal charge events are typical sponsors of these activities.
No outside organization or individual shall be permitted to display materials which advocate for a political party, candidate or proposition, or which promote and publicize a single, religious point of view.
Due to space limitations, all eligible items may not be approved. However, all requests to display and distribute materials will be determined in a fair and consistent manner. Library Administration has the final say over the type and number of outside organization posters, flyers and other announcements displayed in each location.
Handouts, flyers, and posters are displayed no more than one month prior to the event and will be placed in the appropriate public forum location by Library staff.
All items must identify the group or person responsible for distribution, and provide a contact address or telephone number.
Items may remain posted or be distributed for a period up to 30 days.
The library does not store materials. Any items brought early must be redelivered within the display period.
Active distribution, in which a person on site hands out materials, canvasses, solicits or petitions, is not allowed in the library.
The library reserves the right to refuse to display materials that are awkward to display or take up a disproportionate space.
Displays are only allowed in designated areas and library materials have top priority in display(s).
Items to be posted/distributed must not be in violation of any federal, state or local laws.
Oral or written requests must be made to the Library branch manager for approval. Requests will be processed on a first-come/first-served basis, with scheduling priority given to local branch community organizations and exhibitors who have not previously presented an exhibit.
The exhibitor/lender will complete the Displays and Exhibit Policy & Agreement form.
The library does not assume responsibility for materials, equipment or any other article left by the organization, group or individual in the library and will not be liable for loss, theft or damage thereto.
The Library manager, or librarian-in-charge, will sign and date the Agreement, retaining a copy for the library and providing the original to the lender or exhibitor.
The exhibitor is responsible for the installation and dismantling of the exhibit as scheduled. If the Library must dismantle an exhibit because it is not removed as scheduled, the Library is not responsible for any damages.
Exhibitors using exhibit cases or exhibits space assume liability and shall be liable for any damage resulting from said usage, as assessed by the Library.
When items are returned to their owner, on or before the agreed pickup date, the owner shall sign and date the original form, noting that all materials have been returned.
If items are not picked up at the agreed time, the Library will attempt to contact the owner twice in writing within sixty (60) days before arranging for disposal.
Adopted 7/27/67
Revised 5/25/95
5/28/15
12/29/15
