Request for Reconsideration of Material

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EXTERNAL FORMS

This Request for Reconsideration of Material policy is only applicable to materials owned or contracted by Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library.  For requests that address Magnolia Databases, Hoopla, or other materials provided by the Mississippi Library Commission, click HERE to place a Request for Material Review by the Mississippi Library Commission.

 

OVERVIEW

The Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library ('Library') upholds the Freedom to Read, implicitly endorsed in the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights, as a fundamental principle. The Library's collection comprises a diverse range of materials carefully selected to cater to the varied interests of its community. It is important to note that not all items within the Library's collection will resonate with every patron.

The objectives of the Library's Collection encompass the following:

  • Promoting literacy: The Library aims to foster and enhance literacy skills among its patrons through the availability of a wide range of reading materials.
  • Supporting lifelong learning: The Library endeavors to provide resources that facilitate continuous learning and personal growth throughout patrons' lives.
  • Providing information for self-discovery and understanding: The Library seeks to offer materials that enable patrons to gain insights into themselves and the world around them, fostering personal development and knowledge.
  • Equipping patrons for effective participation in society: The Library aims to supply information that empowers patrons to function effectively as members of their community, providing them with the necessary tools to actively engage in societal matters.
  • Facilitating access to diverse opinions: The Library strives to offer a wide spectrum of viewpoints on various subjects, promoting open-mindedness, critical thinking, and the exploration of different perspectives.
  • Supporting educational, civic, and cultural activities: The Library actively supports and contributes to educational initiatives, civic engagement, and cultural enrichment within its community.
  • Providing materials for entertainment and enrichment: Recognizing the value of leisure and enjoyment in life, the Library offers a selection of materials that cater to patrons' entertainment needs, providing opportunities for relaxation and enrichment.

By adhering to these objectives, the Library aims to fulfill its commitment to serving the diverse needs and interests of its community, while honoring the principles of intellectual freedom and access to information.

 

PROCEDURES

The following procedures have been established to ensure that patrons' concerns regarding the inclusion of specific items in the Library's collection are addressed attentively and consistently:

  • Request to Reconsider a Material (RRM) forms can be accessed through the Library's website. Patrons are encouraged to complete the RRM forms online, providing detailed information about their concerns. Once submitted, the forms are automatically delivered to the email account of the Library Director, who oversees the reconsideration process.
  • Acknowledgment of the form's receipt will be sent by the Library Director within 10 calendar days. The acknowledgment will be emailed to the address provided on the RRM form. In case patrons do not receive an acknowledgment within this time frame, we kindly request them to first check their email's junk folder to ensure it has not been inadvertently marked as spam. If the acknowledgment is still not found, patrons should promptly notify library staff to report the breakdown in communication.
  • Upon receipt of the RRM form, the Library Director will initiate a thorough review process. This process involves careful consideration of the concerns expressed by the patron and a comprehensive evaluation of the item in question. The aim is to make an informed decision that upholds the library's commitment to intellectual freedom and diversity of perspectives.
  • Throughout the reconsideration process, the privacy of patrons and the confidentiality of their information will be strictly upheld. Any personal data provided in the RRM forms will be treated in accordance with applicable privacy regulations and will only be accessible to staff involved in the review process.
  • Materials requested for reconsideration will remain accessible to patrons throughout the review process, while their concerns expressed in RRM forms are being evaluated.
  • The Library's review committee consists of county library board members who are not actively serving on or elected to the Library's Regional Board of Trustees. The review process involves the following steps.
    • Within ten calendar days of receiving the RRM form, the Library Director will share the submitted form with the review committee for their consideration.
    • If a majority of the review committee members respond to the Library Director within 10 calendar days of receiving the RRM form, the majority decision will determine the outcome.
    • In the event that a majority of the review committee members do not respond within 10 calendar days, a decision will be reached as soon as a majority response is received, or 14 calendar days after the RRM form was sent to the review committee, whichever comes first. In the case of a tie, the Library Director will make the final determination.
    • Within 30 days of the original submission date of the RRM form, the Library Director will communicate the review committee's decision to the patron using the email address provided on the form.
  • To streamline the review process, the Library reserves the right to consolidate multiple RRM forms pertaining to the same material into a single review. In such cases, the earliest submission date among the bundled forms will be used for compliance with the review procedure.
  • The Library retains the right to reject RRM forms that appear to be duplicative if the material has already been evaluated by the review committee within the past 365 days. If such a determination is made, the Library Director will notify the submitter within ten calendar days of the RRM form's submission date, using the email address provided on the form.
  • If the review committee's decision proves unsatisfactory or if the Library Director rejects an RRM submission, the submitter has the option to submit a one-time written appeal to the Library's Regional Board of Trustees within 10 business days of receiving the unsatisfactory decision. The appeal should be sent to the Library Director's email address used during the RRM review process.
    • The Regional Board of Trustees will consider the appeal at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
    • Within 10 calendar days of receiving the appeal, the Library Director will notify the individual of the date and location of the board meeting.
    • The Board of Trustees reserves the right to impose time limits on public comments made by both the individual submitting the appeal and the general public during its meetings.
    • The decision made by the Regional Board of Trustees is final and concludes the reconsideration process.

 

FORMS