Policy Statement:
It is the policy of the Northampton Area Public Library to select books and materials with which to provide general circulation and reference service to the adults, young people, and children of the community. The Library adheres to the Library Materials Selection Policy and is a designated Book Sanctuary, collecting, protecting, and making available to others banned, challenged, and endangered books. The Library upholds the principles found in the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement and Library Bill of Rights.
Procedure:
The procedure for the reconsideration of library materials consists of the following:
- The library user must complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form in total and submit it to the Library Director. This request may not be submitted anonymously. Requests that indicate a “No” response for reading the Selection Policy and/or the material in question will not be considered.
- The Request for Reconsideration will be referred to a committee consisting of the Library Director and other Library staff, depending on subject matter, to determine whether retention of the item as it is currently classified would be in violation of the Library’s Selection Policy.
- The committee will reconsider the item using the general criteria of the Selection Policy and reviews from recognized sources, then make a written decision.
- The Director will inform the Library Board of Trustees of the committee’s decision.
- The Director will respond in writing to the Library user regarding the committee’s decision. Committee members’ comments will not be attributed, although brief quotes may be used in the Director’s response.
- An appeal of this decision may be made to the Library Board of Trustees. Such an appeal should not exceed two pages and should include copies of the original Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form and the committee’s written recommendation. The Library Board will reconsider the decision based on whether the item conforms to the General Criteria outlined in the Selection Policy. A decision will be made based off a majority vote by the Board. The Board shall then make the final determination on the matter, notifying the Library user in writing of this action, in a timely manner.
- The decision of the Library Board will be final. The completed decision on reconsideration of a specific title shall remain in effect for three years.
During the review process the Library will take appropriate action to ensure that the item will continue to be available.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 1/11/2024
