Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy

Request for Reconsideration

Library patrons who recommend the review of appropriateness or removal of a particular item in the Library collection may request and submit a Statement of Concern about Library Resources form. The form will be reviewed by the Library Director or designee and staff in relation to the Library's mission, vision, and values, and the selection criteria in this Collection Development Policy. An evaluation of review materials submitted by the patron and staff will be made in accordance with the Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy which is listed below and can be viewed on the Library's website. A response will be made by the Library Director or designee within 21 days of receiving the formal objection.

Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy

Recognizing the importance of intellectual freedom, the Escondido Public Library Board of Trustees fully supports the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and the Association's Freedom to Read and Freedom to View Statements and has adopted them as official Library policy.

Reading is a private activity, and individuals must examine materials as to suitability for their own purposes and make their own decisions to read or not to read particular items.

As part of its mission to provide ready access to the wide diversity of ideas and information, the Library strives to collect materials that provide a variety of viewpoints on issues and subjects. It recognizes that some of these may be controversial and that any given item may offend some members of the community. Selection of materials is not made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but on the basis of the principles and guidelines stated in the Collection Development Policy. Likewise, the library will not eliminate items purchased under due consideration solely because they displease a particular individual or group.

Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library materials will be sequestered, except to protect it from physical damage or theft.

Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that books may come into the possession of children, and only parents may restrict access for their own children.

The Escondido Public Library welcomes suggestions for purchase and will research and consider any such suggestion. Make a Purchase suggestion online.

Patrons may raise an objection to an item in the library's collection. If a complaint cannot be resolved informally, after the complainant has talked with a librarian and has seen the Collection Development Policy, the following procedure will be used to consider the opinions of those persons in the community who are not directly involved in the selection process.

1. The Library's department heads and administrators will assist patrons in accessing the Statement of Concern About Library Resources form
2. The Library Director or designee shall review the submitted form with the Library's management staff for reevaluation of the material in question. The management staff shall recommend disposition to the Library Director or designee within 30 days.
3. The challenged material will not be restricted during the reconsideration process.
4. The management staff will have an initial meeting to:
   • Review copies of the completed Statement of Concern About Library Materials form.
   • Review copies of the challenged material, as available.
   • The management staff will make its recommendation and draft a response with the Library Director who will review it and send it to the complainant.
5. If not satisfied with the decision, the complainant may appeal to the Escondido Public Library Board of Trustees, which has the authority to elevate the decision to the Escondido City Council.
6. An item that has been challenged and reviewed through this procedure, will not be reviewed again for 12 months.

The Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy is part of the Library's Collection Development Policy. It is presented here to assist with access.