Display

I. Public Use of Library Display Spaces

As part of its public service and information mission, the library makes available designated display and exhibit areas to Fairbanks North Star Borough non-profit organizations and qualified governmental agencies engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual or charitable activities.

The provision of display space for public use does not constitute library endorsement of the beliefs or viewpoints advocated by the displays, or the organization responsible for the displays.

A. Conditions for the Public Use of Display Spaces

1. Administration – The Library Director is responsible for the administration of this policy.
2. Spaces – The Library Director will determine the location of display spaces.
3. Scheduling – Regulations for the scheduling and duration of displays will be determined and implemented by the Library Director. Scheduling and assignment of display spaces will be at the discretion of the Library Director.
4. Notification – Advance notice of public displays will be provided by such means as are determined by the Library Director. Such notice may include, but is not limited to, newspaper announcements, notices at the Library, posting on the Internet, and notices in other venues, as determined by the Library Director.
5. Disclaimer – Each display space will prominently feature a statement to the effect that the provision of display space for public use does not constitute Library or Borough endorsement of the beliefs or viewpoints advocated by the displays, or the organization responsible for the displays. The Library will provide this disclaimer for each display area.
6. Publicity – Displays may not be publicized in a manner which suggests Library sponsorship or affiliation.
7. Prohibited Content – Displays may not contain any of the following: explosives, biologically or chemically hazardous material, apparatus which produces noise, firearms, perishables, speech that is not constitutionally protected or material that violates election laws when the Library is used as a polling site. The Library Director may prohibit other items which are illegal or deemed to present an immediate, demonstrated threat to the public health and safety.
8. Nonprofit License – Non-governmental organizations applying for use of display and exhibit areas must show possession of an Active Status Nonprofit Corporation License issued by the State of Alaska.
9. Liability – The Library does not take responsibility or assume liability for materials in a display and will require the exhibiting organization to sign a document identifying at least three officers or contacts of the organization and releasing the Library from responsibility. The exhibiting organization will be held liable for any damage to Library property resulting from the act or method of mounting or removing a display.
10. Quality and Quantity – Display materials must be of a professional quality and of sufficient quantity to insure full utilization of the requested space. Failure to meet this stipulation may result in removal of the display at the direction of the Library Director. Regulations and guidelines governing quality and quantity will be as determined by the Library Director.
11. Identification – Each display must include a clearly visible sign which states the name of the organization, the name of a contact person, and a contact telephone number.
12. Removal – The exhibiting organization is responsible for removing the display at a time and in a manner specified by the Library Director.
13. Limitation – Organizations may have only one exhibit on the schedule for display in the borough’s public libraries. Future exhibit space may be requested following the removal of the exhibiting organization’s current exhibit.
14. Library-related – In keeping with the spirit of the Library’s provision of these display spaces, exhibiting organizations are asked to include library-related materials in displays whenever possible.
15. Violations – The Library retains the right to deny space to any user whose use or planned use of the space does not comply with these conditions. Violation of these conditions may result in removal of the display at the direction of the Library Director and/or denial of future access to the Library display spaces.
16. Reconsideration and Appeal – Patrons concerned about material in, or scheduled for, display spaces are welcome to discuss those concerns with a professional staff member and/or the Library Director. Patrons who want the Library Selection Committee to reconsider material in a display space will be given Request for Reconsideration forms and informed of the reconsideration procedure.

    Since displays are exhibited for a relatively short time and early notification of planned displays will be provided through advance notice and other means, patrons are requested to return the completed Request for Reconsideration form as soon as possible after a display opens.

    The Library Selection Committee will meet and make a decision within two Fairbanks North Star Borough office working days of receipt of the Request for Reconsideration form following the opening of a display.

    The Library Director will use appropriate expedited means to communicate the Selection Committee’s decision to the patron(s) who submitted the Request for Reconsideration.

    The Library Commission shall hear appeals from the Library Selection Committee’s decisions for reconsideration of materials in a display space. To the extent practicable, the Commission shall hear the appeal within five Fairbanks North Star Borough working days of the Library Director’s receipt of an appeal from a patron. Public notice of the appeal hearing on a display shall be given no less than 48 hours prior to the hearing.

    The Commission may choose to have a hearing officer. The hearing officer will advise the Commission on administrative hearing procedures and may be present at the appeal hearing.

    Written comments will be accepted up to the time of the hearing. Public comments will be taken at the hearing and will be limited to no more than three minutes per person. Each person may speak only once, however, the hearing officer or members of the Commission may question a member of the public to obtain further relevant information. The Commission may arrange for additional testimony from expert witnesses.

    The decision of the Commission shall be the final administrative remedy in this appeal process. Appellates have thirty days from the date the Commission mails its decision to them to make a judicial appeal.

    The display being challenged will remain in place during the reconsideration process.

II. Sunset Clause

This policy will automatically terminate on the four year anniversary of its adoption unless renewed by the Library Commission before that date.

You may review a copy of the display application and display release forms in PDF format. Please print these forms and bring or fax (907 459-1024 fax) them to the library for review and approval.