4.4.1 — Exhibits

Effective: January 1, 2025 
Last Reviewed: November 1, 2024 

  1. Purpose 
    The purpose of this policy is to define, establish and communicate the intent and criteria related to the presentation of temporary exhibits at the Jacksonville Public Library (Library) in support of the organization's mission and goals. 
  2. Board of Library Trustees Authority 
    Pursuant to sections 90.101 and 662.101 of the City of Jacksonville Ordinance Code, the Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) is authorized to administer and maintain a public library for the use and enjoyment of the citizens of the Consolidated Government.  Among the services offered and administered by the BOLT is the provision of space designated for exhibits. 
  3. Administrative/Operational Responsibility 
    Ultimate responsibility for the implementation of this policy rests with the Library Director, who administers exhibits under the authority of the BOLT. The Library Director may delegate decisions and actions related to this policy as established in Library procedure. 
  4. Intent of Exhibits 
    The Library provides space for temporary exhibits to meet the educational, cultural, civic or artistic interests of Duval County residents. Exhibits will support the Library’s strategic priorities by encouraging and engaging community members in activities related to reading, writing, literacy, and lifelong learning. The Library recognizes that some exhibits may be controversial and may offend some viewers.  The Library’s presentation of an exhibit in no way constitutes an endorsement of or support for any idea, attitude, or concept contained in any single item or the collective content within an exhibit. 
  5. Priority 
    Exhibits presented or sponsored by or on behalf of the Library or any of its Affinity Groups will take precedence over all other uses of exhibit spaces.   
  6. Criteria for Selection 
    Among the criteria considered when making decisions about a specific exhibit will be the following: 
    1. Suitability of subject, technique and style for intended audience 
    2. Appropriateness to special events, anniversaries, holidays, etc. 
    3. Historical or regional relevance 
    4. Relevance to library programs or other events or exhibits in the community 
    5. Opportunity to promote the use of the library and library services 
    6. Representation of an influential movement, genre, trend or national culture 
    7. Significance of the contributor 
    8. Contributor’s record of previous exhibits 
    9. Interest of viewers and the public 
    10. Recency of previous library exhibits by the same artist, lender or organization or exhibits of similar items or topics 
  7. Nonacceptance of an Exhibit 
    The Library reserves the right to reject any exhibit in whole or in part for violation of any of the following criteria: 
    1. Advertisements, requests or solicitations for donations, pay per view, posting of prices,  or exhibits that include a charge for viewing. 
    2. Partisan political exhibits or exhibits that support the election or defeat of a political candidate or ballot issue. 
    3. Exhibits that support or oppose a specific ideology or religion. 
    4. Exhibits that are in violation of any laws, or are obscene or deemed to be derogatory or offensive to civil standards. 
  8. Reconsideration of Library Exhibits 
    1. The Library welcomes expressions of opinion from customers concerning exhibits in the Library. Decisions related to exhibits will not be made based solely on customer feedback, but will be considered along with other relevant information gathered about the exhibit and outlined in this policy. 
    2. A customer holding a General Membership in the Library, as described in Library policy, who wishes the Library to formally reconsider the acceptance or nonacceptance of an exhibit shall submit a signed, written request that includes a description of how the exhibit in the Library violates or complies with this policy. To be considered, the request shall be submitted to the Library Director in compliance with current Library procedure. Following a formal review of the exhibit, the Library Director will render a decision and will communicate it in writing to the requesting customer. 
    3. During the review process, the exhibit will remain accessible to Library customers. 
    4. Exhibits are reviewed as a complete work, not on the basis of a particular element or piece. 
  9. Appealing the Library Director’s Decision on a Reconsideration of a Library Exhibit 
    A customer holding a General Membership who submitted a request for reconsideration of the acceptance or nonacceptance of an exhibit and is unsatisfied with the decision rendered by the Library Director, may appeal the decision to the BOLT in accordance with Policy 5.5.1 Appealing the Implementation of Policy. 
  10. Procedures 
    The Board of Library Trustees authorizes the Library Director to establish procedures to administer this policy, and to delegate any and all responsibilities herein to other staff through such procedures. 

Associated Policies: 
2.2.1 – Management of the Library Collection, Jacksonville Public Library Policy 
5.5.1 – Appealing the Implementation of Policy, Jacksonville Public Library Policy 

Artist Exhibition Locations