MCUL Reconsideration of Material Policy
Statement of 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 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 that satisfy the diverse interests of our community. The library upholds the right of the 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 withdrawal or reclassification of materials currently owned by the library are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the library director. If the patron is not satisfied with the response to their request, staff will provide the patron with information and a form to request formal reconsideration of the library resource. Withdrawn books are donated to the library for book sales. The proceeds from such sales are used for the benefit of the library. Books that are not sold will be disposed of at the discretion of the Trustees.
*https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
**https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement
***https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomviewstatement
Informal Complaints
MCUL Procedures for Handling Informal Complaints
The process begins with a librarian discussing the complaint with the patron who brings it to the service desk. During that interaction, the librarian will explain that the library has materials for everyone and everything goes through a selection process or is purchased because of patron requests. The librarian should offer to assist the patron to find alternate materials that would better meet the needs and interests of the patron and/or their family members. If the patron chooses to go forward with the challenge, the complainant should be provided with a request for formal reconsideration form.
Formal Reconsideration
MCUL Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints
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 questioned item will be considered in its entirety, not judged solely on portions taken out of context. Parents or guardians have the right to guide the reading, viewing, and listening of their children but must give the same right to other parents/guardians.
1. A concerned patron who is dissatisfied with earlier informal discussions will be offered a packet of materials that includes the library’s mission statement, selection policy, reconsideration form, the Library Bill of Rights and the list of these procedures. Patrons are required to complete and submit a reconsideration form to the library director.
2. The director, with appropriate professional staff, will review the reconsideration form and the material in question, to consider whether its selection follows the criteria stated in the collection policy.
3. Within 15 business days, the director will make a decision and send a letter to the concerned person who requested the reconsideration, stating the reasons for the decision. 4. If the patron is not satisfied with the decision, a written appeal may be submitted within 10 business days to the Board of Trustees.
5. The board will address the appeal at one of the two subsequent regularly scheduled board meetings; the patron will be notified of when the meeting will be held.
6. The decision of the board is final. The decision will be made at, or before, the second regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting after the receipt of the formal appeal. The decision will be promptly communicated to the patron.
Reconsideration Form
Mt. Caesar Union Library Request for Reconsideration of Material Form
The trustees of Mt. Caesar Union Library have established a materials selection policy and a procedure for gathering input about particular items. Completion of this form is the first step in that procedure. If you wish to request reconsideration of a resource, please return the completed form to the library director.
Mt. Caesar Union Library
628 Old Homestead Hwy.
Swanzey, NH 03446
Date ___________________________________________________________
Name __________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City ____________________________ State/Zip _______________________
Phone __________________________ Email __________________________
Are you a patron?_____Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization _________________
1. Resource on which you are commenting:
___ Book (e-book) ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Audio Recording
___ Digital Resource ___ Game ___ Newspaper ___ Other
Title ________________________________________________________________________ Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________
2. What brought this resource to your attention?
___________________________________________________________
3. Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?
___________________________________________________________
4. What concerns you about the resource?
___________________________________________________________
5. What action are you requesting the Board of Trustees to consider?
___________________________________________________________
MCUL Letter to Patron Requesting Reconsideration
Dear _____:
We appreciate your concern over the use of ______________________ in the library. Selecting materials that serve the needs of our community is a vital part of operating a library. The Board of Trustees takes this responsibility very seriously and has established a materials selection policy for selecting resources as well as a detailed reconsideration procedure for requesting reconsideration of particular items. I have enclosed both for your review. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss them further.
If you are still concerned after you review the material public library policies, please complete the request for Reconsideration of Material form and return it to me. The steps that will be taken are outlined in the Reconsideration procedure. At any point during this process, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Library Director
Date
Enclosed: selection policy; reconsideration procedure
Statement of 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 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 that satisfy the diverse interests of our community. The library upholds the right of the 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 withdrawal or reclassification of materials currently owned by the library are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the library director. If the patron is not satisfied with the response to their request, staff will provide the patron with information and a form to request formal reconsideration of the library resource. Withdrawn books are donated to the library for book sales. The proceeds from such sales are used for the benefit of the library. Books that are not sold will be disposed of at the discretion of the Trustees.
*https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
**https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement
***https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomviewstatement
Informal Complaints
MCUL Procedures for Handling Informal Complaints
The process begins with a librarian discussing the complaint with the patron who brings it to the service desk. During that interaction, the librarian will explain that the library has materials for everyone and everything goes through a selection process or is purchased because of patron requests. The librarian should offer to assist the patron to find alternate materials that would better meet the needs and interests of the patron and/or their family members. If the patron chooses to go forward with the challenge, the complainant should be provided with a request for formal reconsideration form.
Formal Reconsideration
MCUL Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints
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 questioned item will be considered in its entirety, not judged solely on portions taken out of context. Parents or guardians have the right to guide the reading, viewing, and listening of their children but must give the same right to other parents/guardians.
1. A concerned patron who is dissatisfied with earlier informal discussions will be offered a packet of materials that includes the library’s mission statement, selection policy, reconsideration form, the Library Bill of Rights and the list of these procedures. Patrons are required to complete and submit a reconsideration form to the library director.
2. The director, with appropriate professional staff, will review the reconsideration form and the material in question, to consider whether its selection follows the criteria stated in the collection policy.
3. Within 15 business days, the director will make a decision and send a letter to the concerned person who requested the reconsideration, stating the reasons for the decision. 4. If the patron is not satisfied with the decision, a written appeal may be submitted within 10 business days to the Board of Trustees.
5. The board will address the appeal at one of the two subsequent regularly scheduled board meetings; the patron will be notified of when the meeting will be held.
6. The decision of the board is final. The decision will be made at, or before, the second regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting after the receipt of the formal appeal. The decision will be promptly communicated to the patron.
Reconsideration Form
Mt. Caesar Union Library Request for Reconsideration of Material Form
The trustees of Mt. Caesar Union Library have established a materials selection policy and a procedure for gathering input about particular items. Completion of this form is the first step in that procedure. If you wish to request reconsideration of a resource, please return the completed form to the library director.
Mt. Caesar Union Library
628 Old Homestead Hwy.
Swanzey, NH 03446
Date ___________________________________________________________
Name __________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City ____________________________ State/Zip _______________________
Phone __________________________ Email __________________________
Are you a patron?_____Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization _________________
1. Resource on which you are commenting:
___ Book (e-book) ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Audio Recording
___ Digital Resource ___ Game ___ Newspaper ___ Other
Title ________________________________________________________________________ Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________
2. What brought this resource to your attention?
___________________________________________________________
3. Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?
___________________________________________________________
4. What concerns you about the resource?
___________________________________________________________
5. What action are you requesting the Board of Trustees to consider?
___________________________________________________________
MCUL Letter to Patron Requesting Reconsideration
Dear _____:
We appreciate your concern over the use of ______________________ in the library. Selecting materials that serve the needs of our community is a vital part of operating a library. The Board of Trustees takes this responsibility very seriously and has established a materials selection policy for selecting resources as well as a detailed reconsideration procedure for requesting reconsideration of particular items. I have enclosed both for your review. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss them further.
If you are still concerned after you review the material public library policies, please complete the request for Reconsideration of Material form and return it to me. The steps that will be taken are outlined in the Reconsideration procedure. At any point during this process, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Library Director
Date
Enclosed: selection policy; reconsideration procedure