Request for Reconsideration Policy

Amended by the Board of Trustees 9/19/2023
Request for Reconsideration Policy PDF

The East Greenbush Community Library strives to provide all patrons with fair and equal access to library materials, resources, and programs. The Library’s role is to provide opportunities that will allow individuals to freely examine subjects and make their own decisions. The choice of library materials or resources by users is an individual matter. While patrons may reject materials, resources, or programs for themselves, they may not restrict the freedom of access for others.

Statement of Policy

The Library Board of Trustees for the East Greenbush Community Library and the Library Director recognize that some individuals may take offense to the inclusion of specific items, programs or practices and they may wish to express their concerns. The Library has established a Collection Management Policy, Library Display Policy, Public Exhibit Policy, Programming Policy, and procedures for gathering input about particular items.
East Greenbush Community Library values patrons’ opinions. Staff are available to discuss concerns and identify alternate resources that may be available. If a patron’s concern is not satisfied through discussion with staff, a formal, written Request for Reconsideration Form may be submitted to the Library Director. All Requests for Reconsideration in the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) shared collections should be directed to the Upper Hudson Library System Executive Director.
Those who object to the content of a particular item must submit a Request for Reconsideration Form. The request will be judged according to the applicable policy (Collection Management Policy, Library Display Policy, Public Exhibit Policy, and Programming Policy) established by the Library. All patrons are encouraged to read these library policies 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 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 Code of Ethics, 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.

Policy Guidelines

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

The Library Director shall convene a staff review committee, who shall examine the challenged material and decide whether the material conforms to the principles of selection outlined in the Library’s applicable policies.
The Library Director shall prepare a written decision. The decision shall be provided to the individual questioner. The decision shall be discussed with the individual questioner, if requested.
The questioner shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Library Director to the Library Board, as the process review panel. The request for appeal must be made in writing to the Board and within 60 days of receiving the written report from the Library Director.
The Library Board shall review the process followed by the staff review committee and Library Director to determine if the Request for Reconsideration Policy was followed and make a ruling. The Library Board’s decision is final.

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.

Request for Reconsideration Form (PDF)

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

Statement of Policy

Policy Guidelines

Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Form

RESOURCE FOR RECONSIDERATION

If Display/Exhibit or Library Program, please list:

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