Stephanie Beene and Cindy Pierard, “RESIST: a Controversial Display and Reflections on the Academic Library’s Role in Promoting Discourse and Engagement,” Urban Library Journal 24, no. 1 (2018), https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ulj/vol24/iss1/6.
Frames best practices in libraries and museums and by extension special collections in today's political climate.
Mary Kandiuk, "Avoiding Controversy: Academic Freedom and the Library Exhibit," Art Documentation 36, no. 1 (Spring 2017).
Questions the concept of library neutrality and includes an appendix of library exhibit policies.
If an item in the library (whether a part of the permanent collection or other item on temporary display) is challenged, library staff will pursue the following procedure:
· Staff will ask the challenger to complete a Request for Review form, including name and contact information, the item in question and why it is being challenged.
· The form will be referred to a committee consisting of the University Librarian, Head of Access Services and appropriate liaison librarian. The request will be evaluated in relation to the Collection Development Policy and SPU’s commitment to academic and intellectual freedom (see section 2.4 “Intellectual Freedom” in Collection Development Policy).
· If appropriate or necessary, the item in question will be pulled from public display while the review is in process (i.e. – to protect the item, or to deescalate a conflict)
· The committee will inform the patron of its decision within a reasonable period of time.
On our end, we have opted to post this statement with exhibits that might spark debate:Ringling College of Art and Design respects and supports the freedom of expression of exhibits and exhibitors and therefore does not restrict the content of student, faculty, alumni or other professional work exhibited at the Ringling College of Art and Design campus.
One of the core values of Ringling College is upholding academic freedom and a safe environment for members of the campus community to responsibly question, examine, and explore all intellectual ground.
Janelle Rebel
Digital Curation and Special Collections Librarian
Brizdle-Schoenberg Special Collections Center
Ringling College of Art and Design
2700 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34234-5895
(941) 359-7583
~~~
Hello ARLIS knowledge base,I would love to hear from libraries, particularly academic libraries, about how you handle potential challenges to exhibits of library resources, special collections, and/or artworks owned or on loan to the library. Such challenges might include requests to relocate or remove items, requests to add disclaimers or trigger warnings, etc.Do you have library policies in place or set processes for handling concerns and complaints? Or does your governing institution have policies in place that also cover/apply/protect library exhibitions? Do you use supplementary materials--e.g. a form to handle such a grievance--as one might issue to a patron that wants to challenge a library resource (e.g. ALA's Request for Reconsideration of Material Form)?I am interested in hearing from anyone who may have navigated this territory before (including public, special, and museum libraries, as well as academics). Please respond to me off list and indicate if you are willing to share your responses. I can attempt to summarize for the group.Thank you in advance for your help!JanelleJanelle Rebel
Digital Curation and Special Collections Librarian
Brizdle-Schoenberg Special Collections Center
Ringling College of Art and Design
2700 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34234-5895
(941) 359-7583
~~~
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