Public Library of Cincinnati
and Hamilton County
General Statement
Exhibit cases (glass enclosed and secured) and exhibit areas (wall areas designated for display) are available in the Main Library and in some branches.
Exhibits are more formal presentations of materials in closed cases or on walls designated for exhibits. These materials frequently include noncirculating items from the Art and Music or Rare Books and Special Collections Departments. The purpose of exhibits is to showcase resources of the Library collection, to relate to Library promotions and special events, and to provide educational value about a particular theme or subject.
The Main Library has several exhibit areas which include: Atrium cases, first floor cases, second floor cases, third floor cases, and miscellaneous moveable cases. Cases in subject departments are used by the departments.
There are also areas available for exhibiting artwork or photographs. These include the Circle Theater outer wall, Children's Department; and using movable cork display panels in the Third Floor Gallery, next to the Art and Music Department, and in the Atrium.
The following branches also have exhibit cases: Anderson, Avondale, Bonham, Cheviot, Cumminsville, Delhi Hills, Elmwood Place, Green Township, Groesbeck, Harrison, Lincoln Park, Madeira–Indian Hill–Kenwood, Madisonville, Mariemont, Mt. Healthy, North Central, Northern Hills, Norwood, Oakley, Parkdale, St. Bernard, Sharonville, Sycamore, Symmes Township, Walnut Hills, and West Fork.
Guidelines
- The scheduling and organization of exhibits will be the sole responsibility of the Library. If Library staff deems that an exhibit may be enhanced by inclusion of non–library materials, the Library may choose to include those items in its exhibits.
- Only those non–library materials which would promote or complement the collections of the Public Library will be included in exhibits.
- Anyone who wishes to make the Public Library aware of resources available for possible inclusion in a Library exhibit should fill out an "Exhibit Resource" form. This should be sent to the Head of Public Relations at the Main Library, or to the Branch Librarian of the particular Extension agency where the potential lender would like to have his/her materials included in a Library exhibit.
- Materials from for–profit organizations or those prepared primarily for commercial purposes will not be included in Library exhibits.
- Public Library staff will work with lenders in setting up exhibits, arranging loading and unloading, etc. The Public Library reserves the right to make the final decision on how all of its exhibits are arranged.
- The Public Library will provide signage for non–library items included in its exhibits.
- No lender may change, add to or remove any items in an exhibit during its scheduled time. Changes may only be may by authorized Library personnel.
- Lenders will be asked to supply background information on the items lent to exhibits at least four weeks in advance of the exhibit opening to insure adequate lead time in developing signage and writing news releases for the media.
- Exhibits will stay up no less than one week and no more than four weeks.
- The Library may accompany its exhibits with complementing brochures, bookmarks or other items related to the exhibit's theme.
- Because of the volume of exhibits the Public Library presents each year, and the limited storage space for exhibits, it is imperative that materials lent to exhibits be dropped off and picked up at designated times. The Public Library will not be responsible for any items loaned for exhibit. Any items left more than four weeks may be disposed of as the Public Library sees fit.
- The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is not responsible for theft or damage, nor does it carry insurance to protect items loaned for display in its cases or in its exhibit areas. Insurance is the sole responsibility of the lender.
- All persons loaning items for exhibits in any Public Library agency must complete and sign "The Lender's Agreement." The Agreement must be signed before any loaned items are placed on exhibit. A separate Agreement is required for each exhibit. The lender should be given a copy of the signed Agreement.
- It is the responsibility of Library staff when arranging to borrow any non–library item for exhibit to explain that the lender must sign the Agreement.
- It is the responsibility of the Head of Public Relations to keep on file all Resource Forms and signed Lender's Agreements for loans to exhibits in the Main Library for a period of two calendar years. Extension supervisors must keep a copy of all Resource Forms and signed Lender's Agreements for their branch on file for a period of two calendar years.
