The Teaneck Public Library fully endorses the principles documented in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association. Materials available in the library present a diversity of viewpoints, enabling citizens to make the informed choices necessary in a democracy. The library also selects a wide variety of library materials that satisfy the diverse interests of our community. The library upholds the right of the individual to secure these resources, even if the content may be considered controversial, unconventional, or unacceptable to some. The library’s varied collection is available to all. However, it is not expected that all of the collection will appeal to everyone.
Patrons who wish to request the withdrawal or reclassification of materials currently owned by the library are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a library supervisor – Head of Reference, Head of Patron Services, or Head of Youth Services. The supervisor will discuss the Collection Development Policy and the application of selection principles.
If the patron is not satisfied with the response to their request, the supervisor will provide the patron with the following documents:
- The Teaneck Public Library Collection Development Policy;
- The Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association;
- The Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association;
- The Teaneck Public Library Reconsideration of Material / Program Form.
If, after reviewing these documents, the patron wants to proceed with their request, a signed Request for Reconsideration form may be submitted to the Library Director. This will begin the formal reconsideration process.
In order to request that a material be reconsidered, the patron must:
- Be a resident of Teaneck;
- Have read, viewed, seen, or heard the material in its entirety;
- Have reviewed the Teaneck Public Library Collection Development Policy, the Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association;
- Completed the Teaneck Library Request for Reconsideration form. Only completed forms will be reviewed by the Library Director.
The Library will not respond to anonymous complaints in writing, phone calls, or any other means. The material in question will remain active in the collection during the review process.
The Library Director will: examine the challenged material; consider the specific objections voiced by the complainant; and weigh the merits of the material as a whole in itself, and in relation to the collection. A written response will be issued by the Library Director within sixty (60) days of receiving the formal objection, containing the decision and the recommended action regarding the challenged material.
If the Library Director’s response does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the patron may request, in writing, that the matter be presented to the Library Board of Trustees for their review and consideration. The patron must provide written and/or verbal arguments as to why the material in question should be removed or reclassified. A decision will be made by the Library Board within sixty (60) days; and, once a decision has been rendered, the patron will receive written notification from the Library Board. The decision of the Library Board is final and will preclude all other requests for the same material for five calendar years.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on August 4, 2022