When there is a concern about items in the library, the library media specialist will respect the person’s feelings. The library media specialist recognizes students and their parents can question whether the topics in books are appropriate. The form below can be filled out to place a concern in writing.
Steps for Responding to a Reconsideration Request
Steps for Responding to a Reconsideration Request
- Listen calmly and respectively.
- Briefly explain how materials are chosen in the school district.
- Tell the person to fill out the form. He or she is responsible for sending in the completed form.
- Tell the supervisor about the concern.
- Tell the principal about the concern. Talk about the purpose of the book, its reviews, and how items are chosen for the library with the principal.
- The person with a concern makes an appointment with the principal.
- The item should stay in the library until a decision has been made to remove it or not.
Timeline for a Reconsideration Request
- First meeting with the principal.
- Within five days after the first meeting with the principal, a second meeting takes place with the librarian and the library supervisor.
- If the concerned person still wishes to remove the book from the library, that person submits the form to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
- Within five days after receiving the form, the Assistant Superintendent will take the concern to a committee.
- Within fifteen school days, the committee will have hearing about the item.
- Within ten school days after the hearing, the committee will make a recommendation to the Superintendent.
- Within five school days, the Superintendent will make his or her decision about the item.
- If the concerned person still wishes to remove the book from the library, that person can request a hearing within five school days to the Board of Education.
- Within five school days, the Board of Education will plan a hearing or give a decision about the item.
Information on this page was taken and/or adapted from Baltimore County Public Schools Librarians Resource-PD Wiki and policies and Wicomico County School Library Media Handbook.
Works Cited
Citizen's Review of Instructional Materials. Baltimore County Public Schools, www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/FORMS_EXHIBITS/6000Series/FORM6002A.pdf. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.
"Procedure for Handling Concern." Wicomico County School Library Media Handbook Final, Wicomico County Public Schools.
"Selection Guidelines for School Library Media Centers." BCPS Librarians Resource-PD Wiki, Baltimore County Public Schools, bcpslis.pbworks.com/w/file/89801849/selection2014.docx. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.
"Procedure for Handling Concern." Wicomico County School Library Media Handbook Final, Wicomico County Public Schools.
"Selection Guidelines for School Library Media Centers." BCPS Librarians Resource-PD Wiki, Baltimore County Public Schools, bcpslis.pbworks.com/w/file/89801849/selection2014.docx. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.