Reconsideration Policy
The Library fully endorses the principles documented in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association. Materials/displays and programs available in the Library present a diversity of viewpoints, enabling citizens to make the informed choices necessary in a democracy. The Library also selects a wide variety of Library materials/displays and programs that satisfy the diverse interests of our community. The Library upholds the right of each individual to secure these resources, even though the content may be controversial, unorthodox, or unacceptable to some. The Library’s varied collection is available to all; however, it is not expected that all of the collection will appeal to everyone.
Patrons who wish to request the reconsideration of materials, displays, or programs currently owned or held by the Library are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a Library supervisor or the Library Director. If the patron is not satisfied with the response to their request, the supervisor or Director will provide the patron with information and a form to request formal reconsideration of the Library resource. The reconsideration form is in the appendix.
Procedures for Handling Requests for Reconsideration
The following steps will be used when an individual feels that further action is necessary to address concerns about a Library resource. For the duration of this process, the material in question will remain in circulation in the Library collection.
- A concerned patron, who requested reconsideration but is dissatisfied with earlier informal discussions, will be offered a packet of materials that includes the Library’s mission statement, selection policy, reconsideration form, and the Library Bill of Rights.
- Patrons are required to complete and submit a reconsideration form for each title, display or program (in Appendix) to the Library Director.
- The Library Director, with appropriate professional staff, will review the reconsideration form and the material, display or program in question, to consider whether its selection follows the criteria stated in the collection, display or Library program policy.
- The Library Director will review and evaluate all requests in the order they are received, make a decision, and prepare and send a letter to the concerned patron who requested the reconsideration stating the reasons for the decision. This process generally will be completed within 15 business days following receipt of the reconsideration form. In order to limit any negative impact on the support our library staff provides to all patrons of our library, however, if the Library receives more than 5 requests in any 30-day period, the Director will still have at least 15 business days to review and respond to each request, and will not be expected to respond to more than 5 requests in any rolling 30-day period. Therefore, if the Library receives more than 5 requests in any 30-day period, the requests will be reviewed in the order they are received, and the 15 business days’ review and response period will begin as of the date the Director begins the review, without regard to the date the request was initially received.
- If the individual is not satisfied with the decision, a written appeal may be submitted to the Board of Trustees within 10 business days following the date of the Director’s written decision.
- If the Board plans to address the appeal at a public Board of Trustees meeting, the individual will be notified of when and where the meeting will be held.
- The Board of Trustees reserves the right to limit the length of public comments.
- The decision of the Board regarding reconsideration appeals, is final.