Policies

Earl K. Long Library

University of New Orleans

Exhibits Guidelines

The exhibits in the Earl K. Long Library supplement students’ formal instructional experiences by presenting informative and varied materials in an informal and enjoyable manner while simultaneously increasing awareness of the Library and its collections and services, and supporting the teaching and research mission of the University of New Orleans.

Library personnel develop exhibits and displays on a regular basis to promote the use of collections, to introduce new acquisitions, to highlight particular topics, to commemorate special occasions, to relate library holdings to current events, to promote university and community relations, and to recognize library supporters, friends, and donors

The Library invites university groups to utilize library exhibits space to create displays consistent with the Library’s role in supporting the university curriculum. Exhibits should be educational or artistic, library-related in theme, and informational, and should enhance the cultural and intellectual life of the university and the community.They should be appropriate to the interests of the general academic community and presented on a level suitable for a university library.To facilitate comprehension of the intellectual content, the physical presentation of the material should be logical, clear, and esthetically pleasing.Traveling exhibits may be accepted based on the size of the exhibit and available space in the Library.

Responsibility for approving and scheduling exhibits resides with the Exhibits Committee.

Eligible Exhibitors

• Earl K. Long Library departments.
• Other University of New Orleans departments, colleges, and administrative units.
• University of New Orleans student groups and affiliates (for student groups, the exhibits proposal form must be approved by the group’s campus advisor).
• Community groups and organizations affiliated with the University of New Orleans
• Groups sponsored by the Library

Exhibitors

• Exhibitors must complete and submit an exhibits proposal form.
• Exhibits space is granted on a first-come basis and should be requested well in advance of the desired exhibits date. If an exhibitor is unable to mount a scheduled exhibit, the Exhibits Committee should be notified as soon as possible.
• Exhibitors are responsible for installation and removal of their display items, including signage. Library reference service is available to exhibitors for guidance in the location of relevant library materials, but library personnel are not available to assist with installation or removal.
• Exhibitors assume all risk of damage, destruction, theft, or other loss of their materials. Inclusion of valuable objects in displays is strongly discouraged. The Library is not responsible for display items that are damaged, destroyed, stolen, or lost. The Library does not provide insurance.
• Exhibitors are responsible for providing all material for their exhibits, including labels and props such as stands, cradles, Mylar® strips to hold books open, etc., as well as the exhibit items.
• Exhibitors are required to check out all library books that are used in their exhibits. These materials will have a special checkout in order to prevent them from being recalled by another patron during the duration of the display. Rubber bands, paper clips, post-it notes, sticky tape, and other foreign substances shall not be used on or in library materials. Self-adhesive labels may not be affixed to cases, glass, or walls. Library-owned books should lie flat or be placed on cradles or stands to prevent damage to the pages or spine.
• Exhibitors are expected to leave the exhibit cases in the same condition in which they were found, e.g., return movable shelves to their original positions, clean smudges and fingerprints from the glass and free of debris.
• Exhibitors must provide signage containing the title of the exhibit and the name(s) of the sponsoring group(s). The sign should not require any adhesive substance to secure it with the exception of non-residue, non-damaging adhesive tape like 3M Command Strips that will not leave sticky residue on the display case.
• Exhibitors are financially responsible for any damage to Library exhibit cases and materials.

Exhibits

The Earl K. Long Library supports the American Library Association’s policy statement on Exhibit Spaces and Bulletin Boards (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/exhibitsdisplaysbulletinboards) which states "materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation."

• Exhibits should reflect the academic, cultural, historical, scientific, or social concerns of the University of New Orleans and its community, informing, educating, and enriching the public.
• Exhibits should not include defaming or obscene materials as defined by the Supreme Court ruling in Miller vs California 1973. According to the Court’s majority opinion, material can be obscene only if:
  • “(a) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; [and]
  • “(b) the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law; and
  • “(c) the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value” (p. 25).
• Exhibits may include books, book jackets, periodicals, posters, artwork, handicrafts, artifacts, and other material that will visually enhance the exhibit.
• The following are beyond the scope of the Library’s exhibits policy:
  • Perishable food and beverages
  • Living plants
  • Living creatures
  • Potentially hazardous materials
• Exhibits that editorialize, personal or partisan opinions or viewpoints, or promote commercial interests or advertising will not be approved.
• Non-library exhibits may be requested for a maximum of two months (including time for installation and removal).Extensions will be considered if no other exhibits are scheduled.
• Installation and removal of exhibits in display cases adjacent to Library room 217 must be scheduled with the Exhibits Committee in consultation with the Interlibrary Loan unit personnel.
• Exhibits signage and written materials should be neat and accurate.
• Publicity is the responsibility of the exhibitor.
• The Library reserves the right to reject any part of an exhibit; to limit the size, number, and placement of items; to abbreviate the schedule of any exhibits; and to limit the frequency with which a group may sponsor an exhibit.
• Exhibits may not in any way disrupt normal library activities.

For information about exhibiting materials at the Earl K. Long Library, contact the Associate Dean of the Library, Lora Amsberryaugier (504)280-5563