This guideline addresses the reconsideration of materials acquired by the Camosun Libraries through its collection development practices and policies. It also outlines the approach to be followed when a request is submitted by Camosun community members. Camosun community members include students, faculty, employees, board members, elders, and alumni.
Purpose
The Library recognizes that there will be, from time to time, Camosun community member concerns or complaints about a specific title or type of material selected for, or deselected (weeded) from, the collection. When a complaint is made, the Library must ensure that the complaint is handled seriously and, at the same time, make certain that the fundamental principles of intellectual freedom are upheld.
The purpose of this document is to establish guidelines and procedures on how to address challenges to library material, whether the goal is to remove, add, or limit access to the Library's collection, or to limit the Library's ability to deselect items from the collection.
The Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials procedures, must be followed by Camosun community members when challenging materials and by the Camosun Library when reconsidering challenged materials. Camosun community members must follow steps in the order described for their complaints to be investigated further by the Library.
Once the complaint has been investigated, the Director of Library & Learning Services will consider the recommendations, make a decision, and provide a written response to the Camosun community member and Library Chair. During the regular academic year, the response is sent out within one month of receipt of Camosun community member's Request for Reconsideration form at the service point and is archived in the Collection Development documents folder.
Reconsideration Process Overview
Any person requesting reconsideration of any materials must complete and sign a Reconsideration of Library Materials Form, either in print or online.
The completed and signed form will be forwarded to the appropriate Subject Librarian and the Library Chair. A Received Complaint Letter (Appendix 2) will be sent to the requestor. The designated librarian and Chair will review the item. The review may include consultation with an Indigenous advisor when appropriate. The Subject Librarian and the Chair will draft a recommendation concerning disposition of the challenged material to the requestor within two weeks of receipt and forward to the Director of Library & Learning Services along with the original Reconsideration of Library Materials Form for review. The Director of Library & Learning Services has the responsibility and liability for the final decision.
The Director has the responsibility of notifying the requestor, Library Chair & Subject Librarian as to the decision regarding the materials. (Appendix 3) The requestor shall be notified within one month from the date of receipt of the signed form, except in unusual circumstance (i.e. overlapping annual leave, transition of personnel, need to consult Indigenous advisors, etc.)
All decisions are final. Once validated by the process, materials shall not be eligible for further re-evaluation as each challenged item has been through a rigorous review. An updated file listing the title, date challenged, date resolved, disposition, will be kept by the Library and provided to anyone who requests the list.
1) The complete Camosun Collection Development Policy Purpose and Principals of Selection
2) Canadian Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom
3) British Columbia Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom
4) Reconsideration of Library Materials form is available online and as a PDF. (attached below).