POLICY ON USE OF EXHIBIT SPACE
IN THE FOREST GROVE CITY LIBRARY

Section 1. Purpose. This policy is written to provide guidelines by which the Library Director shall determine the appropriateness of proposed uses of bulletin boards, exhibit cases, information tables, and any other display areas in the city library.

Section 2. Function of exhibits in the City Library. The city library is a center for information and recreation in the community. By collecting books, magazines and other materials, and making them accessible to the public, it fulfills its role as a window to the larger world and, by providing exhibit space, it fulfills its further role as a mirror of the community.

Section 3. Exhibit space is open to organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities.

When groups or individuals not employed by the library ("private sources") provide exhibits for the library, the originators of those exhibits should be clearly identified to the viewer.

When exhibit space is provided to private sources, the exhibit space shall also contain a notice setting forth the following:

1. A disclaimer on all exhibit areas stating such areas are from private sources and are not sponsored or endorsed by either the library or the City of Forest Grove.
2. Exhibit space for opposing views will be made available if there is a timely request made to the library director.

Just as censorship must not be a principle of library materials selection, avoidance of controversy must not be a principle in selection of library exhibits.  Library-originated exhibits should attempt to show both sides of controversial issues, just as materials would be selected for the library collection.

Library exhibit space for promotion of a candidate or ballot measure would be available only during the month preceding an election and would be made available to any candidate or proponent or opponent of any issue.

Library exhibit space shall not be used for promotion of a profit-making enterprise.

Library-related displays shall take priority in scheduling bulletin boards, exhibit cases, information tables and other display areas in the city library.

Section 4. Duties of the Library Director. It shall be the responsibility of the Library Director to encourage use of library exhibit space.  The Director may do so by:

• overseeing creation of library-oriented exhibits
• actively seeking help from other organizations or individuals
• accepting offers of exhibits from organizations or individuals

The Director, or his/her representative, shall see all materials or exhibit plans before they go on display in the library in order to check for their compliance with these policies.

Section 5. A. Appeals of decision to reject a display and/or exhibit, and B. Requests for removal of materials from library display and/or exhibit.

Individuals or groups may appeal a decision to reject a display and/or exhibit.  Individuals or groups may also request the removal of a display and/or exhibit from the library's exhibit areas.  The procedure for both of these actions is as follows:

1. Have an informal conference with the Library Director. If the outcome of this discussion is not satisfactory, the individual or group may:
2. Make a written and signed statement to the Library Director who shall respond in kind and in a timely manner and shall provide the requestor a copy of this policy.
3. If the resulting action is not satisfactory to the requestor, they may make a written appeal of the decision to the Library Commission who will consider the matter at their next regularly-scheduled meeting.  At this meeting, the Commission shall consider the appeal/request as it relates to this policy and make a recommendation.  Should the group or individual wish to pursue the complaint, the City Council will ultimately decide if the display/exhibit in question is in keeping with the letter and spirit of this policy.

Revised May, 1995