Exhibitions have been an important aspect of librarianship throughout history. Without an understanding of their past, the current efforts and impacts of exhibitions are undervalued. Through a literature review that focuses on the history of exhibitions with roots in Europe and related contemporary issues in the United States, the authors argue that exhibitions are part of a library’s identity. They also make recommendations for how to document library exhibitions for the future, including following library exhibition best practices, forging institutional collaborations, and expanding librarian professional development opportunities.