Library Selection

Selection of books and other library materials will be based on subject matter, reader interest, format, and cost. The library will endeavor to make available a diversity of materials presenting all sides of controversial subjects. Both the Assistant Librarian and Children's Librarian are expected to take an active role in making recommendations to the Library Director that relate to their particular areas of expertise.

Basic aids used in the selection of new books and other library materials include reviews in the following respected professional publications: New York Times Bestseller's List, Booklist, Public Library Catalog. Librarians will also use requests from the public and monitor activity at popular booksellers to determine which materials to order.

Challenged Materials

In the event that a patron objects to the presence of any library material, the complaint will be subject to the following procedures:

Complaint Referred to Director

A complaint made to a staff member shall be referred immediately to the Library Director who will then discuss the matter with the complainant.

If the patron would like to challenge the appropriateness of the material in question, the patron will be supplied with a copy of the Challenged Materials Policy, Materials Selection Policy, and a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form. The form must be filled out completely, and include the author, title, and page number(s) of the items to which objection is made, and the reason(s) for the objection. The form must be signed by the person, persons, or group/organization making the objection.

Evaluation of Material

The library material in question will then be re-evaluated with reference to the library’s materials selection criteria. The Library Director will check reviews pertaining to the material in question as well as research available information about challenges to the material at other libraries. The Library Director will then provide the complainant with photocopies of any and all reviews and other information compiled during the investigation, as well as a written determination of the status of the library material. The Library Director may choose to maintain the challenged material on the shelf, remove it from circulation, or keep the material at the library with a location or other restriction.

If Unsatisfied: Further Action

If the patron is not satisfied with the Library Director's determination, he or she will be given the opportunity to present their challenge to a joint meeting between the patron, Library Director, and City Manager. At such meeting, the City Manager will consider the challenge, examine the material in question, and review the Library Director's recommendation. The City Manager, as the administrative head of the City of Perry, will determine if the material in question meets the criteria of the library’s Materials Selection Policy.

Disclaimer

As the City of Perry does not act in a censorship role, the decision whether to retain the material in the collection shall not be based on the individual political, moral or aesthetic views of the City Manager, Library Director, or any other member of City Administration. The presence of any materials in the collection shall not constitute an approval or endorsement of the views contained in them by the City of Perry. Perry Carnegie Library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights, which states that the freedom to read is essential in a democracy and guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. It would therefore conflict with the public interest for the City of Perry to impose its own views as a standard for determining what books should be made available to the public. The decision of the City Manager shall be final and shall be reported to the complainant in writing within 15 days of the meeting.