A. Public Display Areas
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Library offers display space for pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, flyers, posters and other materials from community organizations, not for profit organizations, government and social service agencies, and other materials solicited by the library. Materials must conform to the library's educational and informational mission, and may be placed in the library for distribution to the public by prior arrangement with branch administration. Purely commercial use of the public display areas is prohibited.
Staff monitors display areas on a weekly basis and publications are routinely pulled when they are out of date, inappropriate to the mission of the library, or when there is not enough space for adequate display. Materials may also be pulled when they are added to the display areas without first contacting branch administration. The Library assumes no responsibility for the protection of items displayed.
B. Gallery Space Exhibit Policy
Exhibits and Displays
Gallery space is maintained at each library location for monthly art exhibits by local and regional artists and exhibitors. The galleries present exhibits that would not otherwise be available to patrons of the Library.
Individual artists may apply to exhibit their work at the Library or they may be approached by the Arts and Humanities Librarian after their work has been reviewed at a show or gallery. Artists must complete the Gallery Application and submit slides, photographs or color copies of their work. Artists and groups may be invited to exhibit their work at the Library after their work has been evaluated.
At the time of exhibition, artists must provide a list of titles of artwork, including descriptions, media, and price. Artwork must be ready for exhibition with two-dimensional work having proper matting, framing and wire for hanging. Three-dimensional work should be ready for the display cases and all work must be tagged on the back with title. Any work not conforming to these standards will not be exhibited.
The Library reserves the right not to display artworks not conforming to above standards or gallery policy. The Library coordinates display and promotion for all exhibits including press releases to local and regional newspapers, calendars, brochures and Internet art sites. The Library takes responsibility for helping artists hang their exhibits and provides labeling of artworks in exhibits. The Library will provide space for an opening reception. The Library cannot be held responsible for artworks that are not picked up by the designated date after exhibition.
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria for art exhibits follows the standards set in the library’s collection development policy. Artists must submit slides, photographs, color copies, prints or actual works for review. Artists are scheduled according to their current work. However, the artists styles are always changing and growing and an artist may bring new work to hang at his/her scheduled exhibition.
Challenged Materials
Patrons may challenge art just as they would challenge any other material available in the library. The procedure for challenges is explained in the collection development policy.