Selection Process
Information Ethics
Principles/criteria
Reconsideration
Supplemental Policy
Weeding

Reconsideration Procedures

Occasional objections to a selection will be made by the public despite the care taken to select appropriate and acceptable materials for students’ and teachers’ use.  The Board establishes the following procedures on hearing a complaint:
  1. The complainant should be encouraged to first discuss the material with the teacher or media specialist.  If possible, the library media specialist should discuss the selection process and the purpose of the media committee.  Should the matter be unresolved at this point, the complainant will be asked to fill out the Request For Reconsideration of Library Materials form and return it to the school library media specialist. 
  2. The complainant should be informed that further steps cannot be taken without completion of the Request For Reconsideration of Library Materials form.
  3. The building principal should be informed about the challenge and the identity of the complainant (if complaint is resolved informally, the identity of the complainant may be kept confidential).
  4. Upon receipt of the completed Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form, the complainant should be informed that referral will be made to the building media committee.
  5. An initial meeting including the building principal and media committee should be scheduled no more than 10 days after receipt of the completed Request For Reconsideration of Library Materials form.  At this meeting, members will be asked to read the challenged material in its entirety and a consideration hearing will be scheduled (no more than 30 days after initial meeting).
  6. At the consideration hearing, the Request For Reconsideration of Library Materials shall be read to all members present.  The material shall be discussed considered with both specific objections and content in mind.  This review shall be treated objectively as an important matter.  The best interests of the students and the requirements of the curriculum shall be stressed.  Committee members shall examine and evaluate the challenged resource as a whole, not specific passages or selections.
  7. The committee shall reach a decision, using majority rules, to retain the item, remove the item, or relocate the item.
  8. A representative of the committee shall complete a report of the committee's procedures and their decision regarding the challenged material and submit this report to the principal.
  9. The principal shall send a copy of the report to the complainant and discuss it with the complainant if so requested.  The principal shall also submit a copy to the district superintendent.
  10. If the complainant is not satisfied with the process or the ruling, he or she has the right to appeal the decision to the superintendent of schools and the district school board.

The media committee will take the following steps:
  1. Read and/or examine the material.
  2. Check general acceptance of the material by reading reviews.
  3. Weigh faults and values against each other and form opinions based on the material as a whole and not on passages pulled out of context.
  4. Prepare a report (recommendation) on material and/or complaint.
  5. File report with the school and central office.
  6. Refer the report to the Superintendent and Board for final action.



Resources:
Bishop, K. (2007).The Collection Program in Schools: Concepts, Practices, and Information Sources (4th ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited Reconsideration of Materials. (1991). System Media Policy.  Union County Board of Education.