Adopted: June 9, 1988
Amended as Recorded in Board Minutes
One goal of the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library is to provide exhibition space for the community. We hope to encourage new talent as well as continue to feature recognized artists. To achieve this goal, we will book new exhibitors and encourage artists to repeat bookings from previous years. Area schools are welcome to display student artwork. Final decisions on bookings may involve the type of media to be shown in order to allow for a greater variety in the exhibits.
The following criteria will apply to the use of the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library for the purpose of exhibiting works of art, crafts, hobbies, or works of any nature:
- Exhibits must be open to the public with no admission fee.
- Prices may not be displayed for items being exhibited. A price list may be left with Reference Services for patrons.
- Artists are reminded that people of all ages use the Library and that works exhibited must be appropriate for viewing and contact by all age groups. Items exhibited must not contain materials that pose physical hazards to the general public. In case of objections to the exhibition of specific works, a committee composed of the President of the Library Board, the Library Director and the Building Administrator shall review the work in question and recommend either its removal or continued exhibition.
- The exhibitor may provide the library with biographical information and a poster directing the public to the exhibit.
- Exhibitions by one person or group will be limited to one exhibit per year.
- Exhibitors, either individuals or groups, must supply enough material to fill the entire exhibit space.
- Exhibitors may not use table tops for display.
- Neither the Board of Trustees of the library or the library staff is responsible for insurance coverage on the materials displayed nor financially responsible for any loss.
- Showings are open only during normal operating hours of the library. While display cases will remain locked, the doors to rooms containing exhibits shall remain unlocked during business hours unless library personnel deem it necessary to lock the room for limited periods of time to protect library equipment.
- It is desirable that exhibits be displayed as close to a calendar month as possible with specific dates for installation and removal agreed on in advance.
- Each group or individual using exhibit space takes full responsibility for any damages incurred resulting from its use. All damages will be charged to the exhibitor, and abuse of the facility will be cause for denying further usage to the exhibitor.
- This policy is subject to change by the Board of Trustees at any time.