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856-234-0333
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Moorestown Library

Request for Reconsideration Policy

Request for Reconsideration Policy

LIBRARY MISSION STATEMENT

Moorestown Library strengthens our community by inspiring and supporting learning, literacy, creativity, and expression.

POLICY STATEMENT

Moorestown Library welcomes and encourages input from the community concerning the collection. Requests to remove materials will be considered within the context of the principles expressed within this policy.

The Request for Reconsideration policy ensures that the provisions of the Freedom to Read Act are followed and that the library’s collection responds to the local community’s needs as outlined in its mission statement.

The purpose of this policy is to establish criteria for the removal of existing library materials, create a review committee and a request for reconsideration form, and provide protection against attempts to censor library materials.

FREEDOM TO READ ACT DEFINITIONS

Censorship. Means to block, suppress, or remove library material based on disagreement with a viewpoint, idea, or concept, or solely because an individual finds certain content offensive, but does not include limiting or restricting access to any library material deemed developmentally inappropriate for certain age groups.

Governing body.   Means the Moorestown Library Board of Trustees.

Individual with a vested interest. Any resident who is served by the public library or residents in a county or municipality where the library is situated.

Library material. Means any material, including, but not limited to, nonfiction and fiction books; magazines; reference books; supplementary titles; multimedia and digital material; software and instructional material, belonging to, on loan to, or otherwise in the custody of a public library.

Review committee. The governing body will appoint a review committee  annually consisting of:

  • At least one member of the governing body;
  • A representative selected by the governing body;
  • A resident serviced by the public library, provided the resident selected is not the individual who submitted the form;
  • Any additional members the governing body deems necessary.
  • In addition, at the time of the request and with notice to the Board President, a librarian employed by the Library chosen by the Library Director.
  • In addition, at the time of request and with notice to the Board President, a non-librarian staff member who is familiar with the material.
  • The Library Director in consultation and agreement with the President of the Board of Trustees can select additional or alternate members, if necessary. Notice shall be provided to the other board members  and is subject to ratification at the next meeting.

ELIGIBLE REQUESTORS

Indivivduals with a vested interest may submit a Request for Reconsideration Form, which will be approved annually,  to the library’s governing body to initiate a review. A separate form is required for each request.

Individuals with a vested interest must use the library’s Request form, list their name and address on the form, and specify which sections of the library material the individual objects to with an explanation of the reasons for the objection.

REVIEW COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The review committee must:

  • Evaluate the Request for Reconsideration form.
  • Review the challenged library material.
  • Report in writing its recommendations to the governing body on whether to remove the library material within 30 business days from the date of receiving the form.
  • Provide a copy of the report to the individual with the vested interest who filed the form.

Any challenged material must remain within the library and available for a patron to reserve, check out, or access until there is a final decision by the review committee.

GOVERNING BODY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Review the committee’s report in consultation with the Library Director and make a final determination on whether the material is to be removed from the library or limited in use.
  • Provide a written statement of reasons for:
    • removal, limitation, or non-removal of a library material;
    • any final determination that is contrary to the recommendations of the review committee; and
  • Provide that the challenged library material shall not be subject to a subsequent challenge for at least one year.

CONTACT

Joan Serpico, Library Director
Moorestown Library
111 West Second Street
Moorestown, NJ 08057
856-234-0333 ext. 3031
jserpico@moorestownlibrary.org

Approved by the Moorestown Library Board of Trustees on 6.24.2026