DISPLAY POLICY
Purpose
New Canaan Library’s Display Policy provides a basis for the display of Library materials and exhibitions curated by Library staff, informs the public about the principles and criteria upon which these decisions are made, and promotes the purposes of the Library's mission to be an essential place for lifelong learning and a vibrant hub for knowledge, culture, and connection for everyone in our community.
The Library recognizes the importance of displays as resources for voluntary inquiry, the dissemination of information and ideas, and to promote free expression and free access to ideas by residents and community members. With a strong focus on encouraging love of reading, lifelong learning, and creativity, we connect the diverse needs of our community to our collections, services, and an array of engaging programming. A key aspect of our approach is the creation of thoughtfully curated displays and exhibitions, which play an essential role in informing and inspiring individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Exhibitions and displays are provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all residents and Library visitors, and represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints.
Library displays and exhibitions may be presented as physical or digital materials. Physical displays and exhibitions may include, but are not limited to, arrangements of books and other Library materials, gallery and pop-up exhibitions, pamphlets, bookmarks, and recommendation lists. This policy also applies to digital displays which may include book lists, social media posts, newsletters, and website contents. These displays provide access to content that is relevant to the research, independent interests, and educational and recreational needs of residents and Library visitors.
Principles and Criteria
Ultimate responsibility for the Library’s displays and exhibitions rests with the Library Director who operates in accordance with this Policy and other relevant policies approved by the Library’s Board of Trustees. Day-to-day responsibility is shared by librarians who are professionally trained to curate and develop displays and exhibitions. Library staff employs broadly accepted criteria in making decisions about display topics, materials, and accompanying resources, including:
- Community needs and popular interest;
- Availability of display space;
- Historical, cultural, or educational significance;
- Literary merit, critical acclaim, artistic quality, and originality;
- Representation of a literary, political, or social movement, genre, trend, or national culture;
- Connection to other community or national programs, exhibitions, or events; and
- Relation to Library collections, resources, exhibits, and programs.
The Library may partner with other community agencies, organizations, educational institutions, or individuals to develop and present co-sponsored displays and exhibits. Private, non-Library-sponsored programs may include displays created by individuals other than Library staff members.
The Library strives to include a wide spectrum of opinions and viewpoints in Library-initiated displays and exhibits, as well as to offer displays and exhibits that appeal to diverse ages, interests, and information needs. Library-initiated displays and exhibits should not exclude topics, books, media, and other resources solely because they may be considered to be controversial. The Library provides displays created or curated by librarians or library staff members and may permit pre-approved displays or exhibitions created by members of the public or community groups to be exhibited in the Library building. Acceptance of such a display or exhibit does not constitute the Library’s endorsement of the content of that display or exhibit, nor of the views expressed in the materials on display.
Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
The selection of Library materials is predicated on the patron’s right of access to information and freedom from censorship. The Library recognizes that some materials may be controversial or offensive to an individual. It is the right of the individual not to read, view, or hear materials that the individual considers objectionable. It is never the right of any Library user or users to deny access to Library materials to others. Selections will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but on the merits of the material itself. All Library materials are evaluated and made accessible in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a-64 of the general statutes.
Selection of materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may inadvertently come into the possession of or be seen by minors. No one can exercise censorship to restrict access to Library materials by others. It is the parents' or guardians' responsibility to determine which Library materials are appropriate for their children. The Library supports intellectual freedom and endorses the American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read Statement, Freedom to View Statement, the Library Bill of Rights, and all relevant interpretations. Further information about material selection and retention can be found in the Library’s Collection Development and Maintenance Policy.
Material Review and Reconsideration Policy
The Library welcomes expressions of opinion concerning materials or displays. The Library limits considerations of requests to reconsider materials or displays to individual residents of New Canaan, in accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323, which states that only a resident with a vested interest who wishes that a specific display or exhibition be reviewed may complete and submit a Reconsideration Form. An "individual with a vested interest" is defined as "any individual residing in the town in which the public library is located or the town in which the contract library is located at the time a reconsideration form is filed" per Sec. 322 subsection (e). For further information about requests for reconsideration, please see the Library’s Material Review and Reconsideration Policy.
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Board Approval: November 2025
Next Review Date: November 2028