Guiding Principles for All Types of Libraries

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.

Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries

Whether during an informal complaint or a formal reconsideration of a library resource, library staff, administrators, trustees, and Reconsideration Committee members complete their work using general agreed-upon principles such as:

  • Libraries have diverse materials reflecting differing points of view, and a library’s mission is to provide access to information to all users.
  • All library users have a First Amendment right to read, view, and listen to library resources.
  • The Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association can be used as guiding documents.
  • Any person has the right to express concerns about library resources and expect to have the objection taken seriously.
  • When library resources are reconsidered, the principles of the freedom to read, listen, and view are defended rather than specific materials.
  • A questioned item will be considered in its entirety, not judged solely on portions taken out of context.
  • Parents or guardians have the right to guide the reading, viewing, and listening of their children but must give the same right to other parents/guardians.
  • Questioned items will remain in circulation during the reconsideration process.
  • The reconsideration process should be completed in its entirety and not subverted or ended prematurely, leaving the library open to legal challenge.

Home | Introduction

Why Do I Need a Policy? | Politics and Timing of Policy Creation | Selection Policies for Non-Public Institutions

Basic Components of a Selection Policy

Library Mission | Support for Intellectual Freedom | Objectives | Responsibility for Selection | Selection Criteria | Acquisitions Procedures | Special Collections | Selecting Controversial Materials | Gifts and Donations | Collection Maintenance and Weeding | Policy Revision | Reconsideration

Reconsideration Procedure

Guiding Principles | Statement of Policy | Informal Complaints | Request for Formal Reconsideration | Sample Reconsideration Form | Sample Letter to Complainant | Reconsideration Committees

Appendix

Intellectual Freedom Core Documents | Challenge Support and Reporting Censorship | Bibliography of Additional Selection and Reconsideration Policy Resources

Updated January 2018 by ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom