Virtual engagement opportunities through Emmanuel through Fall 2020.
Policy
Events and exhibits are a valuable part of the Cardinal Cushing Library’s public services outreach and user education programs. Events and exhibits inform, educate, and promote the Libraries' information resources and services, encourage critical thinking on local and global issues, and, at times, entertain. They also provide an excellent opportunity for the Libraries to engage in collaborative projects, especially with student groups, college departments, and others at Emmanuel College.
The Cardinal Cushing Library hosts a variety of events and exhibits including book talks and poetry readings. Potential event and book display locations include Rare Book Room, the Library Reading Room and other appropriate locations in the Library and on campus.
This policy defines the philosophy and goals for events and exhibits throughout the library, identifies responsibility for these programs, and defines guidelines and general policies. Library staff involved in organizing, curating, and/or mounting exhibits or planning events are deemed to be acting within the course of official duties and under the authority of the Cardinal Cushing Library.
The Associate Dean, Library and Learning Resources, in consultation with others, will be responsible for updating and revising this policy.
Goals for Events and Exhibits
Criteria for Selection
Events and exhibits in the Library will be selected based on the Events and Exhibits Policy and Goals Statements. Events and exhibit spaces are made available, in accordance with these Guidelines, to college departments, groups, and organizations, to student organizations registered with the Emmanuel College Student Affairs, and to those sponsored by the Library. Priority for the space reservations is given to Library-sponsored events except for those in the Library Lecture Hall, which is governed by the Registrar’s office.
All events and exhibits must be approved in advance by the Library including decisions regarding the length of events and exhibit duration, location of the events and exhibit within the library, and content of publicity. This policy does not apply to non-Library sponsored events in the Library Lecture Hall.
The following criteria are considered for event and exhibit proposals, although not all events and exhibits will meet all criteria.
Exhibitor of non-Library materials agrees to sign an exhibit release form with the Library.
Process for proposing an exhibit in the Cardinal Cushing Library
Security and Insurance
Exhibits are often located in high traffic areas whose visibility reduces the likelihood of damage or theft of materials; however, the Library takes no responsibility for the security or welfare of exhibits at any time, including during transport, installation, or dismantling.
Before an exhibit is installed, exhibitors and the Library representative must sign a release indemnifying Emmanuel College from any responsibility for loss or damage. The original signed Exhibit Release Form will be retained in the Library.
Insurance coverage, if needed, is the responsibility of the Exhibitor.
Safety
Events and exhibits must accommodate physical safety considerations. There cannot be loose cords or cabling; free-standing units must be secure; and ease of egress from events and exhibits for emergency purposes must be assured. The events and exhibits must be set up so as to accommodate disability access.
Best Practices
Both events and exhibits must be well prepared, organized, and aesthetically pleasing.
Events
Exhibits
Receptions & Exhibits Related Activities
Rooms in the Libraries may, on occasion, be available for receptions and other activities (workshops, talks, demonstrations) linked to exhibits. Contact Diane Zydlewski, Associate Librarian for Reference, Instruction, and Outreach or Karen Storin Linitz, Associate Dean, Library and Learning Resources for requests for rooms for receptions.
Dispute Resolution
The Cardinal Cushing Library supports academic freedom and the free expression of opinion. The Library will not censor display materials such as books, images, labels, catalogs, or promotional literature that fall within the Emmanuel College’s Statement of Community Standards and Code of Conduct and the General College Policies and Procedures as well as local, state, and federal laws.
The Cardinal Cushing Library subscribes to the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights as it applies to exhibit spaces and bulletin boards, specifically:
The library should not censor or remove an exhibit because some members of the community may disagree with its content. Those who object to the content of any exhibit held at the library should be able to submit their complaint and/or their own exhibit proposal to be judged according to the policies established by the library.
Concerns regarding an event, display, exhibit, or printed materials posted or displayed in the Cardinal Cushing Library may be sent in writing to the Associate Dean, Library and Learning Resources. The Library will respond to written statements as follows:
These guidelines were adapted with permission from the Exhibits Guidelines, University Libraries, University of Washington
Diane Zydlewski
Associate Librarian for Reference, Instruction, and Outreach
zydlewsd@emmanuel.edu
617-735-9927
Karen Storin Linitz
Associate Dean, Library and Learning Resources
617-975-9324
linitzk@emmanuel.edu