Collection Development Policy

Review of Challenged Resources

Materials selection, retention, and withdrawal are guided by the principles of intellectual freedom as outlined in the Library Bill of Rights and the American Library Association. Materials will not be excluded or removed from the collection because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. In the case of challenged materials, a committee consisting of the Library Director, Children’s Librarian or Reference Librarian (depending on the collection the challenged material is from), Dean of SFC (or appointed proxy) or Dean of GSE (or appointed proxy), and two teaching faculty will be convened once the Challenge Form has been completed. See Appendix A for details.

Appendix A

Procedures for Reconsideration of Library Materials
The following procedure should be followed if, after discussing the questioned resource, no resolution is made.

  1. All complaints to staff members shall be reported to the Director of Library Services, whether received by email, phone, letter, or in personal conversation.
  2. The Director shall contact the complainant to discuss the issue and attempt to resolve it informally by explaining the philosophy and goals of the library.
  3. The concerned patron who is dissatisfied with earlier informal discussions will be offered a packet of materials that includes the library’s mission statement, collection development policy, challenge form, and the Library Bill of Rights (ALA). If the formal request for reconsideration (the Challenge Form) has not been received by the Director of Library Services within ten business days, the complaint shall be considered closed.
  4. If the form is submitted, a reconsideration committee consisting of the Library Director, Children’s Librarian or Reference Librarian (depending on the collection the challenged material is from), Dean of SFC (or appointed proxy) or Dean of GSE (or appointed proxy), and two members of the teaching faculty will be convened within ten business days to discuss the objection to the material. The discussion will follow guidelines set forth in the “Instructions to the Reconsideration Committee”. A report will be prepared on the material containing its recommendations on the disposition of the matter.
  5. In accordance with the statement of philosophy, no questioned materials shall be removed from the library pending final decision. Pending the outcome of the request for reconsideration however, access to the questioned materials can be denied to the child (or children) of the parents making the complaint, if they so desire.
  6. The Director of Library Services will send the complainant a final written response to the submitted request for reconsideration within 10 business days after the decision is made. The Director will also send the formal report and recommendation to the Head of School (SFC) or Dean (GSE). In answering the complainant, the Director shall explain the book selection system, give the guidelines used for selection, and cite authorities used in reaching decisions. If the committee decides to keep the work that caused the complaint, the complainant shall be given an explanation. If the complaint is valid, the Director of Library Services will acknowledge it and make recommended changes.