Lithgow Public Library Art Exhibits Policy
I. Lithgow Public Library Vision
II. Art Exhibits Authority
III. Goals for the Policy
IV. Art Exhibits Mission
V. Exhibitions and Temporary Displays
VI. Criteria for Selection
VII. Request for Removal of Artwork
I. Lithgow Public Library Vision
Lithgow Public Library: Inspire your imagination; widen your world.
II. Art Exhibits Authority
Exhibitions and temporary displays will be under the authority of the Library Director and his/her designee.
II. Goals for the Policy
The Lithgow Public Library Art Policy provides a framework to the Library Director and his/her designees for the growth and development of the library’s visiting art exhibits in support of the library’s vision.
IV. Art Exhibits Mission
Lithgow Public Library is dedicated to enriching the library experience of patrons of the Lithgow Public Library by:
• Enhancing community appreciation of the arts.
• Presenting a variety of exhibitions by artists as well as exhibitions of educational and/or historical significance.
• Providing opportunities for library visitors to encounter original artwork and increase their exposure to visual arts as a medium.
• Helping local and regional artists to expand their public exposure while remaining open to artists working on a national or international level.
V. Exhibitions and Temporary Displays:
Lithgow offers several locations for exhibiting art, including the Mezzanine, the Community Meeting Room, and site-specific installations throughout the library.
Exhibits vary in duration depending on the space involved, typically running for about one month. We remind potential artists that many members of the public, including children and families, use Lithgow Public Library; the Library Director and his/her designee reserve the right to determine what work is appropriate for each space.
Proposals are accepted throughout the year, and Library Director and his/her designee evaluate proposals on an ongoing basis. Shows will generally be booked out six months to a year in advance. The Director and his/her designee may use his or her discretion to address the library’s scheduling needs.
Exhibiting artists and agencies will be responsible for the installation and removal of their exhibit, under the direction and supervision of the Director and his/her designee. Should any damage to the library be incurred during the installation or removal of the exhibit, the artist or agency will be responsible for funding its repair. The library is not responsible for any damage to or theft of exhibit materials during the installation, exhibition, or removal of the exhibit.
VI. Criteria for Selection
General criteria for selecting Library exhibitions are listed below. Exhibits need not meet all the criteria in order to be acceptable.
• By a local artist and/or of local significance, particularly as it pertains to the Lithgow Public Library and Augusta
• High artistic merit
• Contemporary significance, popular interest or permanent value
• Prominence, authority and/or competence of artist
• Attention of critics and reviewers
• Potential for public interest
• Timeliness of material
• Relation to existing collections and exhibitions
• Statement of challenging, original or alternative point of view
• Authenticity of historical, regional or social setting
VII. Request for Removal of Exhibits
The Lithgow Public Library defends and protects the First Amendment rights of each of its users by providing access to the widest possible range of materials, which in some cases may include extreme or unpopular points of view. While individuals are free to personally reject materials of which they do not approve, individuals or groups may not restrict or exercise censorship over anyone else’s freedom to view. Specific displays may include items that may be unorthodox or unpopular with the majority or controversial in nature. The library’s display of these items does not constitute endorsement of their content but rather makes available its expression. Lithgow Public Library adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom, adopted by the American Library Association, as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View Statements.
Requests to remove materials will be considered within the context of the policies set forth in this document. Anyone who wishes to request that a specific item be reconsidered for inclusion in the collection of materials is asked to complete and sign the Request for Reconsideration Form. Copies of this form are available at the public service desks or from the Library Director. The form will be forwarded to the Art Collection Committee, who will consider the request within 30 days. The questioned material will be reviewed, in its entirety, and once a decision has been made regarding the retention or removal of the material, a letter will be sent to the person, explaining the decision. If the person indicates dissatisfaction with the resolution, he/she may appeal to the Library Board. The Board will reconsider the decision based on whether the item conforms to the Board-approved Art Exhibits Policy, as outlined above.
The Lithgow Public Library is not a judicial body. Law governing obscenity, subversive materials and other questionable matters are subject to interpretation by the courts. Therefore, no challenged material will be removed solely for the complaint of obscenity or any other category covered by law until after a court of competent jurisdiction has ruled against the material. No materials will be knowingly added to the library collections that have been previously determined to be in non-compliance with federal, state and local laws.
Lithgow Public Library Art Exhibit Application & Agreement Form
