Request for Reconsideration Policy and Form
The Portsmouth Public Library and the Board of Library Trustees support the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. The Portsmouth Public Library and the Board of Library Trustees also value the community member’s right to express their concerns regarding materials that are a part of the library’s collection or exhibits, programs or displays in the library. If there is an objection to an item being in the Library’s collection, an exhibit, a program or a display, a library patron has the option to request that the item, collection, exhibit, program or display be re-evaluated by the Review Committee of the Portsmouth Public Library. The requesting library patron must complete this form and submit it to library staff to begin the re-evaluation process.
Once the completed form has been submitted, the Library Director will forward a copy of the request for reconsideration form to the members of the review committee and consult with the review committee. The review committee will be composed of three (3) Portsmouth Public Library staff members. Each staff member appointed to the review committee shall serve for a one-year term and rotate with other staff during even and odd years. The following positions will comprise the committee during even years – Deputy Director, Technical Services Coordinator and one Library Associate with the following positions serving during odd years – Information Technology Coordinator, Marketing Manager and one Library Associate. Library Associates who have a minimum of two years of library employment will be selected through a random drawing to serve on the committee.
After a thorough review has been completed, the committee will make its recommendation to the Library Director. The Library Director will review the committee’s findings and contact the patron with the decision. If the patron is not satisfied, and wishes to appeal the decision, the request will be forwarded to the Board of Library Trustees. The Board of Library Trustees will have final decision on any request for the removal of materials, exhibits, displays or programming from the Library.
