The XYZ Public Library
Model Request for Reconsideration of Materials

The XYZ Public Library welcomes comments and suggestions regarding the continued appropriateness of materials in the collection, especially concerning outdated materials. Suggestions will be considered and utilized by the library in the ongoing process of collection development.

Individuals may take issue with library materials that do not support their tastes and views. Staff is available to discuss concerns and identify alternate materials that may be available. If a patron's concern is not satisfied through discussion with staff, a formal, written request for reconsideration of materials may be submitted to the library director. Copied of this form are available at the reference desk or from the director's office.

The XYZ Public Library is not a judicial body. Laws governing obscenity, subversive materials, and other questionable matters are subject to interpretation by the courts. Therefore, no challenged material will be removed solely for the complaint of obscenity or any other category covered by law until a local court of competent jurisdiction has ruled against the material. No materials will be knowingly added to the library collection that have been previously determined to be in non-compliance with local laws.

For a request for reconsideration to be considered, the form must be completed in full. The patron submitting the request must be a resident of the (library's jurisdiction) and hold a valid borrower's card. The director will respond in writing, within thirty days of receipt, to the patron's request for reconsideration. The response will indicate the action to be taken and reasons for or against the request. An item will only be evaluated for reconsideration once in a twelve-month period.

Since a challenge is a highly emotional issue, the Board and staff have developed a step by step procedure in the case of a material challenge at the XYZ Public Library.

The following procedure be followed.

1. Any material(s) being challenged would be pulled on the receipt of a completed "Challenge Form", attached to properly checked out material(s) presented in person to the director or designee.
2. The Materials would then be checked in from the patron and out to the director/Administrator who will establish if the challenge form is proper, does it apply to the materials in question, and if it is complete.
3. If found to be relevant and complete, the director would "hold list" the book for the challenge committee in order of: chair, oldest serving to newest member.
4. The challenge committee as individuals would read and complete a challenge form, returning the material with the challenge form to the director who would check out the material to the next person on the hold list.
5. Then the material with copies of all the challenge forms would be given to a staff selection "defender" who would provide the defense of the material in an open meeting of the board, with recommendations of the challenge committee.
6. The board would then have a recorded vote on the retention of the materials. This accomplishes several objectives:
• It keeps the material in circulation until it has been adjudged,
• It removes the material from being stolen by some "defender of the faith"
• It assures that Board Policy is followed.
7. Finally the board's decision is final, unless instructed by a court to do otherwise. If the materials are "lost," replacement materials will be purchased until a final determination by the Board is made.

Deselected materials will be dealt with as per policy.

Approved by XYZ Board of Trustees on (insert date)

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Signature of responsible representative