Sample Reconsideration Form

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

Sample Request for Reconsideration of Material Form. See the examples for public, school, and academic libraries below.

Sample Public Library Request for Reconsideration of Material Form

[PDF]

The trustees of Mainstream Public Library have established a materials selection policy and a procedure for gathering input about particular items. Completion of this form is the first step in that procedure. If you wish to request reconsideration of a resource, please return the completed form to the library director.

Mainstream Library

1 Mainstream Plaza

Anytown, State Zip

Date ___________________________________________________________

Name __________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

City ____________________________ State/Zip _______________________

Phone __________________________ Email __________________________

Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization ___________________________

1. Resource on which you are commenting:

___ Book (e-book) ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Audio Recording

___ Digital Resource ___ Game ___ Newspaper ___ Other

Title ________________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________

2. What brought this resource to your attention?

___________________________________________________________

3. Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?

___________________________________________________________

4. What concerns you about the resource?

___________________________________________________________

5. Are there resource(s) you suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?

___________________________________________________________

6. What action are you requesting the committee consider?

___________________________________________________________

Sample School Library Request for Reconsideration of Material Form

[PDF]

The school board of Mainstream County, U.S.A., has delegated the responsibility for selection and evaluation of library/educational resources to the school library professional staff/curriculum committee, and has established reconsideration procedures to address concerns about those resources. Completion of this form is the first step in those procedures. If you wish to request reconsideration of school or library resources, please return the completed form to the coordinator of library media resources (or principal).

Mainstream School District

1 Mainstream Plaza

Anytown, State Zip

Date ___________________________________________________________

Name __________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

City ____________________________ State/Zip _______________________

Phone __________________________ Email __________________________

Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization ___________________________

1. Resource on which you are commenting:

___ Book (e-book) ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Database

___ Audio Recording ___ Digital Resource ___ Textbook ___ App

___ Newspaper ___ Game ___ Streaming Media ___ Other

Title ________________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________

Is the resource part of the curriculum, library collection, or other?

___________________________________________________________

2. What brought this resource to your attention?

___________________________________________________________

3. Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?

___________________________________________________________

4. What concerns you about the resource?

___________________________________________________________

5. Are there resource(s) you suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?

___________________________________________________________

6. What action are you requesting the committee consider?

___________________________________________________________

Sample Academic Library Request for Reconsideration of Material Form

[PDF]

The faculty at Mainstream Academic Library, U.S.A., have established a materials selection policy and a procedure for gathering input about particular items. Completion of this form is the first step in that procedure. If you wish to request reconsideration of a resource, please return the completed form to the dean of libraries.

Mainstream Academic Library

1 Mainstream Plaza

Anytown, State Zip

Date ___________________________________________________________

Name __________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

City ____________________________ State/Zip _______________________

Phone __________________________ Email __________________________

Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization ___________________________

1. Resource on which you are commenting:

___ Book (e-book) ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Audio Recording

___ Digital Resource ___ Textbook ___ Newspaper ___ Other

Title ________________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________

2. What brought this resource to your attention?

___________________________________________________________

3. Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?

___________________________________________________________

4. What concerns you about the resource?

___________________________________________________________

5. Are there resource(s) you suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?

___________________________________________________________

6. What action are you requesting the committee consider?

___________________________________________________________


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