Swansea Free Public Library
Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials
 
The choice of library materials by patrons is an individual matter. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for the materials that their children borrow. While a person may reject materials for himself or for his children, he cannot exercise censorship to restrict access to library materials by others.

If a patron adamantly objects to a particular item in the physical collection, the following  procedure should be followed: 

The patron will fill out the Reconsideration of Library Materials Form detailing objections to the material. The form will be referred to the Materials Review Committee, which shall consist of  Library Director, two staff members on the Selection Team, and a designated Trustee. The Library  Director will acknowledge the receipt of the form within two weeks. 

Within two weeks after acknowledgement of the reconsideration recommendation, and reviewing  the material, the review committee will decide whether the item will remain in the collection or  will be removed. The Library Director will notify the patron of said decision. A final appeal may be  made by the complainant to the Library Board of Trustees within seven days of the decision, and  the Trustees will issue a decision within thirty days from the appeal date. Until a final decision is made, the item will remain in the collection. A copy of the request form without identifying patron  information will be mailed to the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee. The Library will not  convene a Materials Review Committee relative to the same complaint for a period of three years. 

Download the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form below.
 
  
Approved by the Swansea Free Public Library Board of Trustees, October 18, 2018

Updated and approved April 21, 2022