Displays and Exhibits Policy

The Library makes a small display area available to campus-affiliated groups for a period of 30 days. Displays and exhibits are intended to support the university's mission, programs, and services, as well as foster communication and intellectual thought. Of special interest are exhibits which promote the Library's collections and services.

Criteria for Displays and Exhibits

  • The Library provides a small display area in the Reading Room.
  • Displays, when possible should be coordinated with campus activities and should contribute positively to the Library's environment. Groups wishing to post displays must be sponsored by the University.
  • Displays must be well thought out, be of professional quality, and should convey a means to strengthen partnerships between the Library, the University, and the students, staff, and faculty at SWOSU.
  • Requests for displays must be made no less than 30 days prior to the exhibit date to permit time for scheduling throughout the year. Applications are available at the Library's Circulation Desk. The requesting group will then be notified of the time, location, and duration of the display.
  • Displays dealing with controversial topics must be objective and present both sides of an issue.
  • In situations where the content of a display is questionable as to its content, support of the university's mission or programs, or the fostering of intellectual awareness, Library faculty will meet with the Director to discuss the content of the display. Library faculty will evaluate the intellectual merits and content of the display in respect of freedom of speech and will make a recommendation to the Director on whether the display should run. The Director will then contact the requestor(s) with the final decision.
  • Items in this area are offered the same level of security as in other areas of the Library. Since the Library does not have locking display cabinets, it is recommended that valuable items not be placed in the display. The Library carries no insurance for materials that are brought in from the outside, so these items would be placed in the display at the group's own risk.
  • There will be no advertising of firms, companies, etc., in Library displays.