By Larry B. Dendy
A new policy that allows only materials from university libraries to be in display cases at the main library has prompted the Staff Council to call for a campus display space open to all university organizations.
The council passed a resolution at its February meeting requesting “centrally located, physically protected” display cases for education and information purposes.
Council member Annette Hatton proposed the resolution because the libraries will not let outside groups use display cases in the main library lobby after May of this year. Hatton says the policy will eliminate access to important information and runs counter to the university’s educational
mission.
Her resolution says the display cases have provided a “diversity of information” about university departments and organizations that “is a valuable asset to the university.” The resolution recommends that new display cases be built, but doesn’t suggest where they might be or how they would be controlled.
Libraries public information officer Jean Cleveland explains that the decision to display only material from the libraries, or information about library programs, was made so the libraries can better showcase their special resources and activities.
“The libraries saw a need to increase our outreach and education, and to heighten the visibility of some of our major collections and projects,” Cleveland says.
Future displays, she says, will include items from the libraries special collections; information on online learning projects and other special education opportunities; and a preview of the libraries’ part of the new student-learning center.
Cleveland says restricting use of the display cases is not a reflection on any group that has used the cases, and the libraries would support creating a new display area open to all groups.
“We would also be open to working with students or other university groups on exhibits that would reflect a theme they want to highlight,” such as an exhibit with The Georgia Review featuring Georgia authors from the libraries collections, Cleveland says.
Hatton first raised the display-case issue at Staff Council’s January meeting. Pointing to recent displays on The Georgia Review, the Demosthenian Society and Amnesty International, she said “a privilege is being taken away” from groups that will have no other place to present information.
Council members asked her to bring a resolution on the matter to the February meeting. In discussing the resolution, several members suggested it should be more specific about the location, funding and control of new display cases.
Hatton said those issues could be decided later. “The university values education, and this [display cases] is another way to educate,” she said.
The resolution, which passed on a 15-11 vote, will be sent to Karen Holbrook, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
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