Reconsiderations

Reconsiderations

Every library — academic, public, and school (public, private, charter, independent, and international) — should have a comprehensive written policy that guides the selection, deselection or weeding, and reconsideration of library resources. The most valuable selection policy is current; it is reviewed and revised on a regular basis; and it is familiar to all members of a library’s staff. The policy should be approved by the library’s governing board or other policy-making body and disseminated widely for understanding by all stakeholders. The following policies have been shared with permission. 

Intellectual Freedom and the Right to Read

• American Association of School Libraries Intellectual Freedom Brochure

• American Library Association (ALA)'s Library Bill of Rights 

• NCTE's Students' Right to Read

• A Proactive Approach to Book Challenges by Jennifer LaGarde

• AASL's Fight Censorship website

Guidance for Establishing Policies for School Libraries

• NSLA's Policy Guidance Living Document     

• Elissa Malespina's Wakelet on Policies and Challenges​

Response to Informal Concerns and Complaints 

• Suggested Steps on How to Respond

Response to Formal Reconsiderations (Challenges) and Concerns

• ALA's How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns webpage

• Example Reconsideration Procedures

• ​Example Response to Concerned Patrons

Reporting Challenges and Additional Support 

Reporting censorship to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) raises awareness of the harms of censorship. Since 1990, OIF has maintained a database on challenged materials and the attempts to remove or restrict books across the country. By reporting censorship incidents, librarians help identify trends in censorship cases and document responses and solutions to censorship. OIF’s first priority is to make sure that all librarians, educators, and users know that libraries are a forum for information and ideas equitably and without restricted access.  Their second priority is to fight any attempts to limit or remove access.

Anyone may call ALA with questions or to report a challenge to library or classroom resources via the online challenge reporting form. Requests made will not be revealed without the individual’s permission.