Exhibits & Displays Policy

Policy Statement

Rampart Library District welcomes the opportunity to allow groups, organizations or individuals to use the various display areas designated by the Library Director. Educational, cultural, civic and recreational displays are encouraged.

This policy applies to items that are on display in the District on a temporary basis. This includes, but is not limited to, artwork for display or sale, display cases and materials, collectibles and memorabilia, historical items, and any items on loan to the library.

RLD’s Exhibits and Displays policy and practices operate in accordance with CRS 24-216-1(2) declarations as follows:

SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that librarians are highly trained and educated and that they intentionally and thoughtfully select library resources for their specific communities to educate and entertain public library patrons.

(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that:

  • (a) A full range of books and other library resources should be provided for the interest and enlightenment of all people in the communities that public libraries serve;
  • (b) The opportunity to be exposed to a wide variety of perspectives and experiences via books and other library materials engenders empathy and understanding;
  • (c) Recent challenges to library materials have targeted various protected classes, including individuals based on their race and sexual orientation, constituting dangerous discrimination and limiting some individuals from adequate representation and participation in institutional public life;
  • (d) Community members have challenged the inclusion of library resources in public libraries and have successfully demanded the removal of library resources;
  • (e) Removing library resources prevents others from examining, enjoying, and learning from the removed library resources; and
  • (f) It is important that public libraries’ policies for the acquisition, retention, display, reconsideration, and use of library resources and for the use of public library facilities comply with standards that identify the priorities and mission of public libraries.

RLD’s Exhibits and Displays policy and practices operate in accordance with CRS 24-90-122 standards, as added by CRS 24-216-2(2), and as follows:

  • (a) A PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVES AS A CENTER FOR VOLUNTARY INQUIRY AND THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND IDEAS;
  • (b) THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO ACCESS A RANGE OF SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AESTHETIC, MORAL, AND OTHER IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES THROUGH A PUBLIC LIBRARY;
  • (c) EACH LIBRARY RESOURCE IS PROVIDED FOR THE INTEREST, INFORMATION, AND ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND SHOULD
  • (d) A PUBLIC LIBRARY SHALL NOT EXCLUDE A LIBRARY RESOURCE BECAUSE OF THE ETHNIC ORIGIN, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, OR GENDER IDENTITY OF THOSE CONTRIBUTING TO THE CREATION OF THE LIBRARY RESOURCE OR BECAUSE OF THE TOPIC ADDRESSED BY THE LIBRARY RESOURCE OR THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE LIBRARY RESOURCE;
  • (e) A PUBLIC LIBRARY SHALL NOT PROSCRIBE OR PROHIBIT THE CIRCULATION OR PROCUREMENT OF A LIBRARY RESOURCE BECAUSE OF PARTISAN OR DOCTRINAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE LIBRARY RESOURCE;
  • (f) IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY TO CHALLENGE CENSORSHIP IN THE FULFILLMENT OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT;
  • (g) A PUBLIC LIBRARY SHALL CONSIDER THE PERSPECTIVES OF MARGINALIZED GROUPS, INCLUDING THOSE IDENTIFIED IN SECTION 22-1-104 (1)(a);
  • (h) FOR A PUBLIC LIBRARY THAT PROVIDES FACILITIES TO THE PUBLIC, THE LIBRARY SHALL MAKE THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE ON AN EQUITABLE BASIS, REGARDLESS OF THE BELIEFS OR AFFILIATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS REQUESTING THEIR USE; AND
  • (i) A PUBLIC LIBRARY SHALL PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON AGE, BACKGROUND, POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS VIEWS, ORIGIN, DISABILITY, RACE, COLOR, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, MARITAL STATUS, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR ANCESTRY IN THE SELECTION, RETENTION, DISPLAY, USE, OR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY RESOURCES AND PUBLIC MEETING SPACES.

Rampart Library District also recognizes the Library Bill of Rights, Article 6, which states: “Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.”

In light of these tenets and laws, RLD does not allow requests for reconsideration of displays or exhibits.

Guidelines

  • All displays are subject to the availability of library space and resources.
  • Items will be on display for a limited time only, to be agreed upon before delivery. No exhibit will be on display for longer than 3 months.
  • The District accepts no responsibility or liability for loss or damage to or theft of an item during the time it is on display. (see attached form)
  • Damage to library property resulting from the display will be the liability of the lender or exhibitor of said item(s).
  • Lenders or exhibitors must read these guidelines and sign an Exhibit and Display Waiver of Liability Form prior to displaying their work.
  • Rampart Library District reserves the right to decline displays, materials or any item for loan at the District’s discretion.
  • Authority to approve materials for display is delegated by the Board of Trustees to the Director, who may choose to further delegate authorization to individual library managers and/or committee designated as the Exhibit Committee. Any questions or concerns will be resolved by the Board of Trustees.
  • All displays will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
    • Displays should appeal to the broad group of people who make up the library public which includes all age groups.
    • Forms of expression judged to be unprotected by the First Amendment or judged to be “obscene” according to applicable law will not be accepted for display in the library.
  • Any individual not under a professional artist group must submit at least 5 pieces that are representative of the artwork being displayed as a whole for review by the Director or designated staff.
  • Professional artist groups that are displaying artwork together may only exhibit original items created by members of that group.
  • The library expects groups and individuals to adhere to Copyright Law, but the library does not regulate this adherence, nor is it liable for infringement thereof.
  • The responsibilities of the lender or exhibitor are:
    • Fill out and sign the Exhibits and Display Waiver of Liability Form for loss, theft, damage or destruction of displayed items while they are on library property.
    • Set up the exhibit in the Library according to a pre-determined and agreed upon date, under the supervision of the Director or Exhibit Committee. NO EXCEPTIONS
    • Maintain the exhibit by periodically coming into the library during library hours.
    • Dismantle the exhibit on the predetermined and agreed upon date and time.
    • Remove any unwanted exhibit items upon request from the Library. (see attached form)
    • Before removal of the items on display will be allowed, any cost incurred by the Library due to the display must be paid.
  • Only original artwork created by the individual on file may be included in the exhibit. Art that is not the creation of the artist on file may not be displayed without the consent of the Director or designated staff.
  • Children’s artwork is reserved for special children’s displays and may not be mixed with adult work.
  • Pricing is not allowed on artwork.

Concerns about the Exhibits and Displays Policy must be presented in writing with specifics to the Library Director. Please provide your name and contact information. The Library District may amend or supplement this policy from time to time and reserves the right to do so.

Approved 02/12/2008. Revised 09/18/2012, 06/04/2019, 10/16/2023, and 06/11/2024