Library

Note

Due to the major construction work entailed by the library expansion project, we will be unable to hold exhibits until after the renovations, expected to be in late 2013.  

The renovated building will provide interesting spaces for exhibits, and we look forward to hosting them in the future. 

Please contact Valerie Critchley, AUL Building Management and Operational Planning, if you require more information.

Policy

The Library responds to requests from members of the University community and interested outside persons or organizations wishing to suggest, sponsor, or otherwise organize an exhibit in the Library. Such persons or organizations are expected to assist the Library Staff in collecting material, organizing the display, and preparing text and captions.

The Library welcomes such involvement subject to the following guidelines:

• The topic of the proposed exhibit must be related to the scholarly purpose or objectives of the University. Where such criteria are subject to interpretation, the decision of the Exhibits committee and the University Librarian will be final. Examples of acceptable topics are:
  • Anniversaries of literary, scholarly, cultural figures or events.
  • Exhibits highlighting the University's special research and teaching interests.
  • Exhibits complementing scholarly conferences and symposia taking place on campus.

  Exhibits which treat their subject in a one-sided or polemic fashion, or exhibits primarily for promotional or commercial purposes are not acceptable.

• The Library may accept small ready-to-assemble exhibits from professional sources (such as government departments, and professional associations) related to universities, libraries, or books and publishing. For example, exhibits which promote library or book-related events such as Freedom of Information Week.
• The Library will highlight its special collections or rare books, and promote Library services and related academic services, when staff time permits or when a particular occasion arises.
• Other commitments may make it impossible to mount an exhibit at short notice. The Exhibits committee requires at least 3 months notice prior to the desired opening date.
• The Library expects that any exhibit offered to us will be prepared to an acceptable professional standard, and that we will be able to install it with a minimum of effort. Research must be thorough and accurate; captions, labels, and other printed materials must be properly prepared and formatted; display panels and other artifacts must be adequately mounted and secured. Captions must be provided in English: the Library cannot be responsible for providing text in translation from the languages.
• Space, staff time, and facilities are limited; these will be important factors in determining whether or not to mount an exhibit even though it may meet with the other criteria of acceptability. The Library is not expected to give up study space to accommodate exhibits.
• The Library will ensure that materials on loan for exhibition are provided with security and environmental conditions equivalent to those accorded our own collections. We cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such materials, no matter how caused. Any insurance coverage desired by the sponsor of a proposed exhibit shall be provided at the sponsor's expense.

With the limitations discussed above we welcome input from the community into our exhibits program.