Bulletin Board, Display, Exhibit, & Non-Collection Materials

18.1 BULLETIN BOARD POLICY

The Canby Public Library provides a designated area for the display and passive distribution of materials, such as flyers, school catalogs, publications, notices, and posters, that promote awareness of services and events of interest to the community. All bulletin board items must be submitted to library staff for approval and posting. Any material posted or left in the display area without prior authorization will be discarded immediately. The library accepts materials from local educational, government, and non-profit organizations. Preference will be given to organizations based in Canby or of community-wide interest. The library will not accept for display or distribution the following: Partisan political or persuasive religious materials and materials advertising or promoting goods or services for personal or commercial profit. The posting or distribution of materials does not indicate the library’s endorsement of the services offered, the accuracy of the information provided, or any liability relating to the events or services advertised.

18.2 DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITS POLICY

As part of its mission, the Canby Public Library promotes the power of lifelong learning to our diverse community through quality resources and services. Those resources include displays and exhibits.

The library adheres to the “Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights: Exhibit Spaces and Bulletin Boards,” adopted by the American Library Association Council in 1991. All exhibits considered for space within the library must support the mission of the library, must not cause disruption of the regular flow of library work and service, and must provide educational, cultural or civic content. Library initiated exhibits and displays have priority. Non-library organizations may request exhibit space following the library’s display guidelines.

Library exhibits and displays are for a period of two months. They are not to be used for exclusively commercial purposes, solicitation, fundraising, political recruitment, or religious proselytizing. Educational exhibits or displays on the aforementioned subjects may be allowed. Determination of educational exhibits will be made by library staff. All exhibits will be considered using the following criteria:

     Suitability of subject

     Quality of presentation

     Local interest

     Space requirements

     Timeliness

The library reserves the right to remove or refuse any material judged unsuitable or to rescind an exhibit/display for violation of policy.

Because individuals of all ages will view exhibits, materials must visually meet a standard acceptable to the community. However, the library does not guarantee that exhibits will be suitable for all children. Parents are encouraged to view displays and exhibits with their children.

18.3 NON-COLLECTION MATERIALS POLICY

As a service to the community, the Canby Public Library chooses to consider non-collection materials that may be of value to the community. Such items would include information from nonprofit cultural, educational and civic organizations in both the city and the local area. All items must be approved in advance by Library Staff. Commercial, religious and partisan political campaign materials will not be displayed.

Some examples of qualifying non-collection materials include, but are not limited to, the following organizations:

     City of Canby agencies

     Groups such as advisory boards that support City functions

     Public agencies, schools and colleges

     Nonprofit groups having 501(c)3 status engaged in business in the City of Canby

     Sponsors of events that further the City of Canby and its objectives

     Government publications (such as tax forms and voters’ guides)

The Library reserves the right to refuse to post or display any materials which, in its judgment, does not meet Library criteria. The Library also reserves the right to remove and dispose of any items not approved in advance or not meeting Library criteria as stated in section 18.2 above. Acceptance of materials for display or posting does not imply approval or disapproval by the Library of the ideas or opinions expressed.

Appeals Process

Either additions to or rejections of non-collection materials may be appealed in accordance with Policy 8.4 (Reconsideration of Materials) in the Canby Public Library Policy Manual.