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Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Policy

Amended by the Board of Trustees 6/28/2022
Request for Reconsideration Policy PDF

Persons who are concerned about the appropriateness of library resources or are unsatisfied with the response from an informal discussion about a title may choose to make a formal request for reconsideration of the work in question. This policy is intended to provide a standard method for receiving formal patron complaints.

Statement of Policy

  • East Greenbush Community Library values your opinion. Individuals may take issue with library materials that do not support their tastes and views. Staff is available to discuss concerns and identify alternate materials that may be available. If a patron’s concern is not satisfied through discussion with staff, a formal, written (or electronically submitted) request for Reconsideration of Library Material (below) be submitted to the Library Director. All requests for reconsideration of material in any of the UHLS shared collections should be directed to the Upper Hudson Library System Executive Library Director.
  • Those who object to the content of an item in the collection must submit a Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Form (below). The request will be judged according to the Collection Management Policy established by the library. All library users are encouraged to read the library’s Collection Management Policy before submitting their request.
  • For a request for reconsideration to be considered, the form must be completed in full. The Library Director will respond in writing, within thirty days of receipt, to the patron’s request for reconsideration. The response will indicate the action to be taken and reasons supporting such action.
  • An item will only be evaluated for reconsideration once in a twelve-month period. Access to challenged material shall not be restricted during the reconsideration process. Neither the Request for Reconsideration form nor its contents will be considered confidential
  • The East Greenbush Community Library Board of Trustees (Library Board) endorses and declares that it will adhere to the Freedom to Read statement, the Freedom to View statement, and the Library Bill of Rights, all of which were adopted by the American Library Association (linked above)

Responsibilities

The following procedure shall be followed upon receipt of a Request for Reconsideration of Library Material form:

  • The Library Director shall examine the challenged material, determine professional acceptance by reading critical reviews of the resource; weigh values and faults and form opinions based on the material as a whole, rather than on passages or a section taken out of context; discuss the challenged item with the individual questioner when appropriate; decide whether the material conforms to the principles of selection outlined in the Library’s Collection Management Policy.
  • The Library Director shall prepare a written report. The report shall be provided to the individual questioner within 30 days of request. The report shall be discussed with the individual questioner if requested.
  • The questioner shall have the right to appeal any decision of the Library Director to the Library Board of Trustees as the review panel. The request for appeal must be made in writing and within 60 days of receiving the written report by the Library Director.
  • The Library Board’s decision is final, unless instructed by a court to do otherwise.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Form

To assure prompt, complete consideration of your request complete this form as clearly as possible explaining the nature of your concern. Neither this document nor its contents will be considered confidential.

Your request will be carefully considered. You will receive a written response concerning the status of the item under reconsideration. You may appeal the decision of the Director to the Library Board of Trustees.

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Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items
Limits on # of Materials Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All eligible item types. All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections. Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders

Notary

A notary is available during some of the hours the library is open. Please call ahead to ensure availability.

Accessibility Services

Vision

Large print books and audiobooks are available for those who find conventional print too small to read easily.

Low-vision equipment is available for magnification of print materials. Inquire at the Reference Desk.

The NYS Library maintains a free Talking Book and Braille Library service for qualified patrons.

Hearing

Assistive listening devices are available upon request for events held in the large meeting room.

Printing

Printing costs 15¢ per page for single-sided black & white, 30¢ per page for double-sided black & white and 50¢ per page for color. Wireless printing is also available in or to the library from any location, using any device. More info

Copy/Scan/Fax

A self-service color photocopier is available for public use, located outside the children’s room. The charge is $.15 per side for black & white copies and $.50 per side for color copies. Duplexing (double-sided) is available for both color and B&W.

The copier also has the ability to scan color or black & white to an email account. There is no charge to scan documents.

Sending a fax costs $1 per page.

Drive-thru

All materials, excluding “Stories to Go” kits, Library of Things items, and technology items, may be returned in the drive-thru book drop any time. Did you know you can set the drive-thru or checkout desk as your default pickup location?  Find out more