Public Displays
The Oshkosh Public Library provides display cases for informational, educational, cultural or civic displays by groups. Display cases are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis except that displays advertising or promoting commercial enterprises, political organizations, political parties, and partisan and nonpartisan candidates must have the express written approval of the library board. The library reserves the right to reject any displays which, in the judgement of the library administration, interfere with the normal operation of the library or which are illegal. No fee will be charged for the use of the display cases.
The utilization of the display cases by an organization shall not imply endorsement or approval by the Oshkosh Public Library. A disclaimer so stating shall appear in the display case. Each display will have a card indicating who prepared it and who to contact for more information.
The following conditions will apply:
- Each group will be asked to complete a booking form. Requests to reserve display cases should be directed to the Circulation Librarian. Cases may be reserved up to six months in advance and are booked at one-month intervals. A group may not reserve more than two cases in any calendar year.
- The library may choose to do its own displays and has priority in scheduling space; however, the library will not displace previously reserved displays.
- The library will not furnish construction paper, letters or other supplies.
- The library staff will not provide assistance in setting up or taking down displays.
- Groups will remove displays at the agreed upon time.
- Questions or comments about displays will be referred to the group representative listed on the booking form.
- The library assumes no responsibility for items in the display cases.
Library Displays
Public display cases may be reserved by the Oshkosh Public Library for its own use or for the use of affiliated organizations.
The Youth Services display case is for the use of the library and/or invited groups or individuals only.
When displays done by the library feature materials on a controversial subject, the material so displayed will reflect the broad scope of the library collection expressed in the Materials Selection Policy (III.A.p.3):
“The Public Library does not promote particular beliefs or views, but provides resources with which the individual can examine issues freely and arrive at his own decision. In order to provide these tools for intelligent and informed decision-making, the library will attempt to acquire factually accurate materials containing all points of view on controversial topics of interest to the people.”
It is expected that, over a period of time, library displays will present a balanced view of the library collection and services.