General Policy: The purpose of the Library’s exhibits, displays, and distribution of free materials in the Library is to complement the Library’s mission to foster a love of reading, to promote lifelong learning, and to provide recreational resources. The placing of exhibits, displays, and free materials for distribution other than those which pertain to the Library is not a right but a privilege and subject to review by the Board of Trustees.
Procedures and Regulations
The Director or the Director’s designee may grant the privilege of placing exhibits, displays, and materials for free distribution subject to the following conditions:
- Nothing shall be exhibited, displayed, or placed in the Library for distribution without permission from the Library Director or the Library Director’s designee.
- No outside organization or individual shall be permitted to display, exhibit, or place in the Library for distribution or circulation any materials, leaflets, petitions, or posters which advocate the election or defeat of a candidate for public office, or which advocate an affirmation or negative vote for or against any proposition, whether political or otherwise, or which advocate or solicit consideration of any particular religion.
- The Library assumes no responsibility for the preservation, possible damage, or theft of any item displayed or exhibited. All items placed in the Library are done so at the owner’s risk.
- All materials must be self-explanatory. The Library staff will not be responsible for providing any additional information concerning an organization or activity. Display of materials does not imply Library sponsorship or endorsement.
- The Library offers no guarantee regarding the length of time materials will be posted or displayed. This will be determined based on priority ranking of the group and available space and the decision rests solely with the Library Director or the Library Director’s designee.
- Only the Addison Public Library staff is allowed to place items on the bulletin board or material distribution holders.
- Materials within the same priority ranking will be displayed according to first-come, first-served basis.
- The Library will not accept anything to be posted on our bulletin boards that is larger than 11 x 17 inches.
Priorities for Public Bulletin Board and Material Distribution Holders
Since there are more requests for displays, exhibits, and distribution of free materials than the Addison Public Library has space to accommodate, the Library limits the type of items that will be posted to the following, which are listed in priority order, with 1 representing the highest priority:
- Library-sponsored programs
- Tax-supported institutions located in Addison
- Nonprofit organizations located in Addison
- Other tax-supported institutions or nonprofit organizations serving the Addison community
- Author and storytelling events
- Other libraries and library organizations
- Events located in the near western suburbs
- Local Employment Opportunities
Charity Collections
The Library occasionally provides space for charity collections sponsored by, or designed to benefit, local not-for-profit organizations to serve the needs of the Library’s community.
The Library Director may exercise discretion in determining what is considered an appropriate charity collection under the Library’s policy and is authorized to act accordingly.
Only one charity collection will take place at a time. Organizations are limited to sponsoring a charity collection at the Library once per calendar year. Collection is limited to a maximum period of 30 days, unless otherwise approved by the Library Director. The collection container will be located in the lobby of the Library, unless determined otherwise by the Library. The Library will not accept cash donations.
Hosting a container for a charity collection does not imply endorsement by the Library staff or the Board of Trustees of any product, service, activity, event, or viewpoint.
Once deposited in the collection container, donated items will not be returned to the donor. The Library accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to any items deposited in any charity collection container. It is the responsibility of the charitable organization collecting donations to arrange for their prompt pick-up from the Library.