You want to present a display in the Main Library? Here’s how!
Library & Information Services encourages groups and individuals to present displays of library materials to coincide with current events on campus or in the world at large. (Space may also be made available for displays that do not specifically feature library materials.)
The person or group requesting the space determines the content of displays. The person or group designs, installs, and removes the display with the assistance of LIS staff. Please remember that all policies in the College Handbook related to "Community Standards" must be adhered to. If a display includes content added by individuals, the presenters are responsible for checking the content daily to ensure that "Community Standards" are being upheld and the desplay doesn't include, for instance, slanderous statements or hate speech.
Student groups that want to sell anything must first apply to the Center for Campus Activities & Leadership (CCAL) for a vending permit. No home made food products may be distributed without consent from the manager of Dining Services.
Please note: Display space may also be available at the Armstrong Library, where two large glass cases and some other spaces may be reserved, and at the Music Library, where small displays may be accommodated. Contact Carrie Macfarlane at x5018 for more information on Armstrong displays and Dan Frostman at x5928 for more information on Music Library displays.
MAIN LIBRARY Displays
SPACES FOR TEMPORARY DISPLAYS:
Atrium (or lobby) on the Main Level: Can be set up in many ways with various combinations of the display props mentioned below. This space is often reserved so make your plans and place your reservation request early.
Harman Periodicals Reading Area, Lower Level: This half circle reading lounge at the bottom of the grand staircase can be set up in a variety of ways using the display props mentioned below.
BB next to Helpdesk adjacent to Atrium: This is a large square pillar wrapped on all sides with bulletin board. It's well suited for displays where you're seeking comments or feedback.
Harman Periodicals Reading Area, Lower Level: This half circle reading lounge at the bottom of the grand staircase can be set up in a variety of ways using the display props mentioned below.
BB next to rm140, Lower Level: Bulletin board above a counter top. Often used for discarded book jackets but the jackets can be removed and stored while topical displays are in place here.
EQUIPMENT AND PROPS FOR DISPLAYS:
Art panels: A four-panel display wall. Each panel is 82" high and 36" wide. It can be set up in either a zigzag line allowing for eight panels, or in a square to form a kiosk-like unit with four panels.
Book display unit: An a-frame with four book shelves on it and a 12" x 37" tack board above. Can be set up and used in a variety of ways and placed where needed.
Large rolling bulletin board: Facilities Services has a fleet of these boards that can be placed in the Main Lib by request. The tacking surface is 68" wide and 44" high. (Please note that this is a two-sided board and if it is used the display must be designed with two sides.)
Computer monitor: An IMac may be placed on a pedestal to display web pages or show media. Reservations for this must be made in advance.
Poster frames: Versatile sign stands or easels--
a) Black metal stand 8.5"x11", horizon orientation. b) Silver metal stand 11"x17", portrait orientation. c) Stand that accepts one or two 3' x 2' bulletin boards, horizon or portrait orientation. d) Easels with foam core backing for any size up to 32" x 42, horizon or portrait orientation, e) freestanding frame that accepts bannerlike posters sized as large as 39.5"x 90".
Pedestals and cases: A selection of pedestals and display cases in various sizes are on loan from the Museum of Art.
Here are the showcases we have available. They are square pedestals with a plexiglas cover. The first three dimensions are the size of the display case inside the plexiglas.
wide x deep x high x (height of base from floor)
9x9x14.5x(47)
9x16.5x15.75x(38)
10x13x14x(50)
11x11x15x(44)
17x24x23x(30)
24x31x26.5x(30)
What follows is a brief checklist of things to keep in mind when preparing a display FOR THE mAIN LIBRARY--
- Propose your idea to the LIS Facilities Coordinator via email explaining who?, what?, where?, when? jwatson@middlebury.edu
Once approval is granted--
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Vending: Students groups that want to sell anything must first apply to the Center for Campus Activities & Leadership (CCAL) for a vending permit.
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Time and Place: decide when you’d like to present your display. Discuss space options with the LIS Facilities Coordinator who will schedule your display in the calendar.
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Plan: create a detailed plan for your display. Decide how you’d like it to look. Danielle Rougeau installs many exhibits for LIS and can offer advice on design. What materials will you need? You may want to consult a Reference Librarian to see what library materials would be appropriate for your display. Gather things like poster board and images for signage. If your display will include media or computing equipment like a computer, be sure to reserve those items in advance through the Helpdesk. (Be sure that you have the legal right to copy anything like images, text, video clips, etc. that you copy to create your display.) If your display is related to an upcoming event, consider including information referring to the display in the promotional materials for the event. Each display should indicate who presented it and include contact information that can be used if people viewing it have questions or comments.
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Select library materials: If you are using library materials in your display, the day before you install your display, gather the materials from the shelves and give them to the Circulation Desk to change the status of the materials from “available” to “on display” so that library users will be able to locate the items.
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Install: take all your materials and mount your display. Remember not to damage surfaces. Everything you do should be completely reversible and you should leave the display area in the same condition it was in before you installed your display. Please bring all the tools and supplies (tape, scissors, etc.) you’ll need to complete your work with you. Schedule a time with Media Services through the LIS Helpdesk to install any media equipment. If you're using any of the mobile display units coordinate the timing of their placement with the LIS Facilities Coordinator.
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Publicize: work with LIS staff to set up promotional signage to direct people to your display. Submit a listing to Events at Middlebury.
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Removal: when your display is scheduled to end, take it down right away and return and library materials to the Circulation Desk to have the status changed from “on display” back to “available”. LIS staff will return the books to the shelves.
The following LIS staff members are available to help you prepare and install your display:
Scheduling space and equipment, signage, etc.: Joseph Watson (x5487, LIB133)
Computer equipment, or media copying/DVD creation: the LIS Helpdesk (x2200, LIB202)
Media Production: Joe Antonioli (x3062, LIB213)
Plotter for printing large-scale posters or backdrops: Mack Roark (x2328, LIB214)
Advice on aesthetic or artistic choices: Danielle Rougeau (x5634, LIB101)
Book Status Change: Elin Waagen, Circulation Services (x2392. LIB250A)
Questions about copyright: Jeff Rehbach (x5811, LIB202C)
Thanks for your interest! Let us know how we can help!