Schaumburg Township District Library provides displays and exhibits that support the Library's mission by offering opportunities for learning, enrichment, discovery, and connection. Displays and exhibits enhance community education, cultural awareness, creativity, and engagement with Library collections, resources, services, and diverse ideas and perspectives.

This policy applies to all displays and exhibits selected, organized, sponsored, created, or hosted by the Library, including library material displays, temporary exhibits, community art displays, traveling exhibits, and rented exhibits. Rules for public posts and displays are provided in the Bulletin Board and Posting Policy.

The Library, through the professional judgment of its staff, exercises sole discretion over the selection, presentation, and curation of displays and exhibits within the Library. The Library may require exhibitors to execute a contract prior to accepting materials for display in the Library.

Display and Exhibit Types

Displays and exhibits may be:

  • Library-created displays highlighting Library collections, resources, services, programs, seasonal topics, or educational themes.

  • Sponsored or curated by the Library.

  • Developed in partnership with community members, local organizations, schools, cultural institutions, or professional partners.

  • Rented exhibits from museums, libraries, or other educational and cultural organizations.

  • Community art displays submitted by local artists or community members.

Eligible exhibitors include:

  • The Library.

  • Local organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities.

  • Residents of Schaumburg Township and surrounding communities.

  • Exhibitors invited by Library staff.

Funding for Library-sponsored displays and exhibits may be provided by the Schaumburg Township District Library Foundation or through external grants.

Locations and Duration

The Library maintains a variety of display and exhibit spaces, including dedicated gallery walls, display cases, lobby areas, shelving, feature areas, and other public spaces.

  • Library staff will determine the most appropriate location for each display or exhibit based on factors such as audience, accessibility, safety, size, medium, technical requirements, and space availability.

  • The duration of displays and exhibits varies based on operational needs and space availability. Community art displays are typically exhibited for up to one month.

  • Community exhibitors may reserve exhibit or display space once every 12 months.

  • The Library reserves the right to relocate, reschedule, modify, or cancel displays or exhibits due to operational, safety, maintenance, or emergency considerations.

Selection Criteria

Displays and exhibits are selected using the professional judgment of Library staff and are evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Alignment with the Library's mission, vision, and values.

  • Community needs and interests.

  • Educational, cultural, artistic, or historical significance.

  • Opportunities to promote discovery of Library collections, resources, services, exhibits, and programs.

  • Connection to Library programs, collections, or community initiatives.

  • Connection to local, regional, national, or international events or observances.

  • Professional presentation, originality, condition, and accuracy.

  • Safety, security, accessibility, technical feasibility, and available space.

  • Impact on Library operations, staffing, and workload.

Community members interested in displaying artwork or proposing an exhibit may submit a proposal using the Library's Exhibit Proposal Form:

https://www.schaumburglibrary.org/propose-exhibit

Final approval is at the discretion of the Executive Director or their designee.

Intellectual Freedom

The Library adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom outlined in the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association and its interpretations. The Library’s exhibit and display spaces are available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. Displays and exhibits are an extension of the Library's collections, services, and educational mission and are developed to encourage discovery, learning, and engagement with a broad range of ideas and perspectives.

The Library may partner with community organizations, educational institutions, cultural organizations, or individuals to develop co-sponsored displays and exhibits that support the Library's mission.

The Library strives to present displays and exhibits that reflect a broad range of interests, experiences, and viewpoints and that appeal to patrons of different ages, backgrounds, and information needs.

Library-initiated displays and exhibits will not exclude topics, books, media, artwork, or other materials solely because they may be considered controversial. Because display and exhibit space is limited, displays and exhibits are not intended to represent every viewpoint on a particular subject.

The inclusion of materials, artwork, or other content in a display or exhibit does not constitute endorsement by Schaumburg Township District Library of the ideas, viewpoints, organizations, or individuals represented.

Access and Use of Space

All displays and exhibits are free and open to the public.

Display and exhibit spaces may not be used for political campaigning, commercial advertising, solicitation of business, or fundraising activities, except fundraising activities that directly support the Library. The Library will not accept materials that:

  • are obscene or pornographic

  • encourage discrimination based on race, sex, gender, age, religion, or any other protected class

  • violate copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property protections, or otherwise violate federal, State, or local laws, rules, or regulations

  • contain actual threats of violence against a person or group

  • pose a threat of danger or injury to Library staff, users, or property

The Library may acknowledge display or exhibit sponsors, artists, organizations, or partners as appropriate; such acknowledgment does not constitute endorsement by the Library of the individual or organization.

Artists and exhibitors may include contact information, websites, or QR codes for informational purposes. Prices may not be posted, and sales transactions may not occur on Library property. Any sales inquiries or transactions must be handled directly between the artist and purchaser outside the Library.

Costs, Insurance, and Liability

Display and exhibit-related costs, including rental fees, shipping, crating, installation equipment, labor, or insurance, will be determined through a written agreement.

Exhibitors are responsible for insuring their own property. While the Library will exercise reasonable care in handling displays and exhibits, subject to the terms of a written agreement, it assumes no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage except as outlined in a signed agreement. All costs, losses, and damages resulting from the display of materials are the sole responsibility of the individual or organization providing the materials. Additionally, the exhibitor assumes sole financial responsibility for any damage to the Library arising from the installation of the display or exhibit.

Installation Standards

All displays and exhibits must be ready for installation at the scheduled time.

Community exhibitors are responsible for installing and removing their displays or exhibits unless otherwise arranged with the Library. Installation and removal must not interfere with Library operations.

The Library retains final authority regarding placement, hardware, lighting, labels, signage, and wall repair. Prior to installation, the Library must approve the installation materials and fasteners proposed by the exhibitor.

Displays and exhibits must be removed in accordance with the agreed schedule. Items left more than 30 days after the scheduled removal date may be removed and handled in accordance with Library procedures.

Reconsideration of Displays and Exhibits

Once a Library display or exhibit has been approved under the Displays and Exhibits Policy, it will not be removed at the request of those who disagree with its inclusion unless it can be shown that retention of the display or exhibit would be in violation of this Policy. Copies of the Displays and Exhibits Policy and the Request for Reconsideration Policy are available on the Library website. The Request for Reconsideration Form may be obtained at the Central Library second-floor desk and at the branch libraries' Information Desks. It may also be completed online.

Approved by the Schaumburg Township District Library Board of Trustees on September 21, 2026.