The Library and the BDL Board of Trustees consider reading, listening, and viewing to be individual, private matters and believes that full, confidential, and unrestricted access to information is essential for all patrons to exercise their constitutional rights.
Underlying the Materials Selection Policy are the BDL’s Mission Statement, the Library Bill of Rights from the American Library Association (ALA), the ALA Freedom to Read Statement, and the ALA Freedom to View Statement. Typically, the Library, the BDL Board of Trustees, and Library staff will not ban or censor any Constitutionally-protected material, either directly or indirectly. Additionally, the presence of materials in the Library does not indicate any endorsement of their content by the Library.
The Library seeks to acquire the broadest range of materials within budgetary constraints. Due to the varied nature of the collection, patrons may find that not all materials will be suitable for all audiences. Though some patrons may reject certain materials for their personal use, they cannot restrict the freedom of others to use Library materials.
Patrons who find any portion of the Library’s collections or programming objectionable are welcome to discuss their concerns with Library staff. If those discussions are not satisfactory, patrons residing in the BDL service area and possessing a BDL library card may file one formal request for re-examination of the materials in question every six months by completing the Request for Reconsideration form below (or download and print a form). Typically, the Library will not remove materials challenged over any Constitutionally-protected category.
Submitted reconsideration request forms will be reviewed by the Library Director, along with relevant Library staff. The Library Director will respond in writing within 60 days describing the action the Library will take regarding the challenge. The Materials Selection Policy will act as the basis for the response. If unsatisfied, patrons may appeal the reconsideration request to the BDL Board of Trustees.
All contact information below is mandatory, since the library director will respond to all requests.
