Reconsideration Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide a process for guests to voice their concerns about materials in the collection or programs that they may find objectionable or inappropriate.

Washington County Public Library welcomes comments and suggestions regarding the continued appropriateness of materials in the collection or programs offered by the library. It is the obligation of any public library to offer differing points of view on any topic. WCPL does not promulgate particular beliefs or views, nor does the selection of an item express or imply endorsement of the viewpoint of the author. Library materials shall not be marked or identified to indicate approval or disapproval of the contents, nor will items be sequestered, except for the purpose of protecting them from damage or theft.

Washington County Public Library welcomes comments and suggestions regarding the continued appropriateness of materials in the collection or programs offered by the library. It is the obligation of any public library to offer differing points of view on any topic. WCPL does not promulgate particular beliefs or views, nor does the selection of an item express or imply endorsement of the viewpoint of the author. Library materials shall not be marked or identified to indicate approval or disapproval of the contents, nor will items be sequestered, except for the purpose of protecting them from damage or theft.

A formal, written request for reconsideration of materials/programs may be submitted to the Library Director. Copies of the “Request for Reconsideration of Materials/Programs” form are available at each branch library or from the administrative office.

For a request for reconsideration to be considered, the “Request for Reconsideration of Materials/Programs” form must be completed in full. The guest submitting the request must hold a valid WCPL library card. After consulting with the Reconsideration Committee, the Library Director will respond, in writing (either by email or regular mail) within thirty days of receipt, to the guest’s request for reconsideration. The response will indicate the action to be taken and reasons for or against the request.

The decision of the Library Director may be appealed by writing to the Washington County Public Library Board of Trustees. The Board will consider an appeal at their next regularly scheduled Board meeting to which the guest will be invited to share his/her views and concerns. The decision of the Board will be final.

The Washington County Public Library is not a judicial body. Laws governing obscenity, subversive materials, and other questionable matters are subject to interpretation by the courts. Therefore, no challenged material will be removed solely for the complaint of obscenity or any other category covered by law until after a local court of competent jurisdiction has ruled against the material.

APPROVED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON: August 26, 2008; Revised November 23, 2021.