"It always seems ironic to me that the book of mine most challenged [The Giver] is the one about a drab, gray world in which literature no longer exists. Books have been removed, one by one, over years, for the most horrifyingly benevolent of reasons: to make people feel comfortable and safe.
Lois Lowry, author of The Giver
Dear _____:
We appreciate your concern over the use of ______________________ in our school district. The district has a policy for selecting materials, but realizes that not everyone will agree with every selection made.
To help you understand the selection process, we are sending copies of the district’s:
If you are still concerned after you review this material, please complete the enclosed Request for Reconsideration of Material form and return it to me. You may be assured of prompt attention to your request. If I have not heard from you within two weeks, we will assume you no longer wish to file a formal complaint.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Principal
Date
Dear _____:
We appreciate your concern over the use of ______________________ in the library. Selecting materials that serve the needs of our community is a vital part of operating a library. The Board of Trustees takes this responsibility very seriously and has established a materials selection policy for selecting resources as well as a detailed reconsideration procedure for requesting reconsideration of particular items. I have enclosed both for your review. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss them further.
If you are still concerned after you review the material public library policies, please complete the Request for Reconsideration of Material form and return it to me. You may be assured of prompt attention to your request. The steps that will be taken are outlined in the Reconsideration procedure. At any point during this process, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Library Director
Date
Dear _____:
We appreciate your concern about ______________________ in the library. Selecting materials that serve the needs of the university’s curriculum is a vital part of operating a library. The library has established a materials selection policy for selecting resources, as well as a detailed procedure for requesting reconsideration of a resources. have enclosed the selection policy for your review. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss them further.
If you are still concerned after you review the material selection policy, please complete the enclosed Request for Reconsideration of Material form and return it to me. You may be assured of prompt attention to your request. The steps that will be taken are outlined in the Reconsideration procedure. At any point during this process, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Dean of Libraries
Date
Letter to Complainant
April 7, 2008
Dear ________________________,
Thank you for taking the time to contact the library regarding your concerns about access and use of ______________ in our library. We appreciate patron input about library services and materials, and do take these concerns seriously. After carefully reviewing _________________ and reading professional reviews of the title, we have decided to retain it in the library. While individual opinions are respected, the collection is built for the entire community. One person may not agree with a title, but we cannot make those decisions for all of the people in the community. The ___________________ Library maintains specific procedures and guidelines for the selection of print and non-print library materials. To help you understand the selection process, we are sending copies of the library’s:
1. Mission statement, which details the goals and objectives of the library
2. Materials Selection Policy statement
If you have additional concerns after you review this material, please complete the Request for Reconsideration of Materials form provided and return it to me. You may be assured of prompt attention to your request. If I have not heard from you within two weeks, we will assume you no longer wish to file a formal complaint. Thank you for your continued interest in the Library and its mission.
Sincerely,
(Name)
Library Media Specialist
Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.