5-40 Artwork Acquisitions
It is the intent of the Board of Trustees of the Library to create a library environment which is comfortable, functional and aesthetically pleasing. To that end, works of art may be accepted as gifts under the conditions established by this policy. Occasionally the library, after consulting with the Library’s Art Committee, may purchase a work of art to enhance the facility.
Oversight
The Library’s Art Committee will be responsible for art recommendations for the Library. The Art Committee shall consist of one seated Trustee, the Library Director and five residents of the Library District. The Committee will meet, at a minimum, twice per calendar year to conduct business related to evaluate potential acquisitions and donations.
The acquisition of artistic items will be determined utilizing the following criteria:
- Relevance of item to Mission of the Library
- Educational value
- Local Artists
- Condition/integrity of item
- Documentation and established historic context
Donations
The Library Board of Trustees will accept gifts of personal property, art objects, portraits, securities and other donations only on the condition that they may be sold, given away, or discarded at the discretion of the Library Board of Trustees or the Library Director at any time. While the library will acknowledge gifts of art, it will not provide estimates of the value of artwork. Items given to the library will be presented to the Board of Trustees for acceptance upon recommendation of the Art Selection Committee.
Final responsibility for acceptance of a work of art resides with the Board of Library Trustees. Of note, the Library particularly collects art created by local artists and items of relevant interest to residents of the Library District, but may collect works outside of that scope.
De-Acquisition of Artwork
The Board of Library Trustees will be responsible for any decisions regarding the
removal of a work of art upon recommendation from the Art Committee. Any art withdrawn from the collection may be donated to an appropriate public organization or sold at public auction, or otherwise disposed of in the best interest of the Library. The proceeds from the sale of a work of art will go the Library Foundation investment account and will be reserved to be used for future collection-related purposes such as to repair and / or conserve works in the collection, or acquire additional works for the collection, at the discretion of the Board of Library Trustees.
LEGAL REF: 75 ILCS 16/30-55.100
ADOPTED: JANUARY 19, 2009
AMENDED: SEPTEMBER 18, 2023