Display & Exhibition Policy
DISPLAY FORMS:
Agreement & Terms of Display
Purpose/Policy Overview
Space Available
General Guidelines
Display Cases & Stands
Temporary Exhibits
Permanent Collections
PURPOSE/POLICY OVERVIEW
Courtright Memorial Library provides space to display and exhibit art and other works of interest. Materials to be exhibited will be selected based on any of the following criteria:
1) promotes the library and it’s collection
2) meets the curricular needs of Otterbein College
3) contributes to ongoing campus events
4) provides information about an individual, group, or theme that would be of interest to the Otterbein community
1) DISPLAY CASES
First floor - five cases with locks are available for the display of materials. Descriptions & Measurements: (Height, Width, Depth)
5'4" x 4'9" x 1'4" (2 Cases)
2'3" x 4'10" x 10"
4'10" x 3'10" x 1'2" (2 Cases)Third floor – Multiple cases associated with the Otterbein Room (college archives) are on the third floor. This area is used to promote and feature materials from the archive. Responsibility for the design, promotion and care for the third floor display cases will be that of the archivist.
2) DISPLAY STANDS
First floor – One stand. Used to feature new books.
Second floor – Two stands. One stand is used by the documents librarian to display recent federal government publications. The second is for alternating displays.
Third floor – Two stands. One stand features children’s books, the other is an alternating display.
Moveable stand – This is available for temporary displays and can be used anywhere in the library. Contains three trifold pieces that interlock. Can be used separately or on a table for a smaller display.
3) OTHER AREAS
Many areas throughout the library are used to display individual works. These areas include most walls, windows, the basement stairwell landing, and some floor space. However, in most situations there are only a few areas that could be used to show multiple works as part of an exhibit. These areas are:
MBA Computer Lab walls – located on the lower level. Two-dimensional work only.
Lower Level walls by stairwell –Two dimensional with some space for three-dimensional. Note: This space is currently reserved for the display of work by photography students.
Stairwell between first and second floor. Two-dimensional work only.
Second floor wall, East side of periodicals office. Two-dimensional work only.
Reference book shelves. The bookshelves in reference stand 3’10.5” from the floor and the tops of these cases are 2’2.5” across.
1) All exhibits and displays need appropriate signage.
2) Exhibits and displays should be scheduled and planned well in advance. Individuals or organizations that wish to display their work must submit a written proposal. Proposal forms are available from the librarian liaison to the art department (Allen Reichert), display coordinator (Patti Rothermich), or library director (Lois Szudy). Forms are also available at the circulation desk.
3) Exhibitions and displays must last at least one week and may not run longer than one year.
4) Publicity for exhibitions and displays will be provided by the librarian that coordinated your display. For those exhibitions and displays that would be of interest to an audience outside the Otterbein community, the library will work through the college relations office to publicize the display.
5) Installation and removal of the display will be the responsibility of the exhibitor or exhibiting organization and will be at a time and in a manner specified under the Agreement and Terms of Display. Artists will be responsible for bringing their own supplies, including tools.
6) Security is limited since the library is an open building. Besides the locked display cases, nothing can be secured. However, if requested, security strips can be added. These strips will set off the alarm when taken out of the building.
7) Insurance will be provided by Otterbein College in the event of unforeseen damage to an exhibitor’s work. However, an inventory must be provided listing each title with it’s value before or when the exhibit/display is first mounted in order for the insurance policy to take effect.
8) The library supports the principle of artistic and intellectual freedom. However, all proposals should be circumspect, considering the nature and function of the library. Final decisions about all materials displayed are subject to the discretion of the library director. Any complaints about exhibits or displays are to be addressed to the director in writing.
9) Suggestions are welcome and the idea and materials to be displayed should be discussed with the appropriate coordinator. For displays, contact Patti Rothermich. For temporary art exhibits, contact Allen Reichert. There is no guarantee that the suggestions will be used, and disagreements will be referred to the Library Director.
Unless requested, the first floor display cases are the responsibility of the library staff on a rotational basis. One case is the responsibility of the archives, but can be reserved for other purposes if sufficient notice is provided. Books related to the exhibit should be displayed outside the first floor cases, rather than locked in the cases in order to encourage reading and research. Typically, displays are in place for at least four weeks, and generally not longer than eight, although summer displays may last longer.
Generally, the alternating display stands are available to publicize and feature library materials that are part of the circulating collection. Library staff will rotate responsibility for the display stands.
Information about scheduling the display cases or the moveable display stand should be made to the display coordinator, Patti Rothermich.
From time to time, temporary exhibits featuring an individual, group or theme may be held. The temporary exhibit may be in any of the following locations; stairwell, MBA computer lab walls, second floor periodical wall, or on top of the reference book cases. However, other locations will be considered, if merited by the nature or theme of the work.
Exhibitors must complete and sign two forms. The first is the Agreement and Terms of Display form, the second is an inventory.
Individuals or organizations that wish to display their work must submit a written
proposal. Proposal forms are available from the librarian liaison to the art department (Allen Reichert), display coordinator (Patti Rothermich), or library director (Lois Szudy).
Coordination of temporary exhibits will be made by the librarian liaison to the art department (Allen Reichert).
Courtright Memorial Library occasionally purchases art or posters for ongoing display. However, the library also relies on the permanent Otterbein collection available from the art department. The librarian liaison to the art department (Allen Reichert) will work with the registrar of the college art collection to occasionally display different works from this collection.
Gifts of art donated to the library will be examined by the library director and the art department liaison librarian. Any items we do not keep will first be offered to the registrar of the college art collection to determine if the item(s) would be of interest for the permanent Otterbein collection. If we decide not to keep the donated items we will offer to return them to the donor, and if they do not want the item(s) returned we will then sell them and use the money for library needs.
A list of the library’s permanent art collection is available. This list does not include nor does it pertain to the archives.Revised 4/2007
Drafted by Allen Reichert, librarian liaison to the art department
Thanks to the Simon Fraser University Library and the San Antonio College Learning Resources Department for use of portions of their policies.
