CITIZEN’S REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIAL

Name of Complainant _______________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

City ___________________ State ________ Zip _______ Phone ____________

Complainant represents _____ him/her self

organization (name) _____________________________________________

other (identify) _________________________________________________

Objection is to:  ____book  _____magazine _____illustrations ____cassettes _____ art _______other (describe)

Author: __________________________________________________________

Title: ____________________________________________________________

Have you read/heard/seen the entire work? _____ If “no”, what sections? _________________________________________________________________

Are you aware of the judgment of this work by literary critics? _______________

What do you believe is the theme of this work? ___________________________

What is your specific objection to this material? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is there anything good about this material? _______________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What do you feel might be the result of reading/hearing/viewing it? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What action would you recommend be taken regarding the use of this material?_________________________________________________________________

Other comments: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________                            __________________

(Signature)                                                                              (Date of Signature)

CITIZEN’S REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIAL

The freedom to read is a fundamental right of every American and must not be limited by the would-be censor. Every library should have as part of its adopted by-laws both the “LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS” and the “FREEDOM TO READ” statement. Should a censorship challenge lead to the open form of the media or the courts, it is essential that the library have these documents as an official integral part of their library policies. The North Country Library System stands ready to assist any library in the System area to fight to preserve the people’s freedom to read. The form, “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Material” should be presented to any individual who asks or demands that a given book, periodical, or piece of library material be removed from the collection or restricted in its availability to the library’s patrons. Be sure that the complainant fills out the form as completely as possible. His/her signature at the bottom of the form is of particular importance.

Once you have received the completed form from the complainant, it is most important that you treat the individual with the utmost tact. Explain the principle of the freedom to read. In no way should the librarian assume that this should be a personal problem between the librarian and the patron. You should politely inform the patron that the form, the material in question and the whole situation will be brought to the attention of the Board of Trustees of your library. Next, please call the System Service Center to let your consultant, the Director, or the professional on duty know about the situation as soon as possible. The System will do everything it can to assist you in handling the complaint.

Policy Board Approved Date:  Monday, September 23, 2019