Policy on the Reconsideration of Controversial
Library & Media Services Materials

The College of St. Catherine Libraries and Media Services Departments collect materials that may be considered controversial or offensive by some patrons. An item owned by the libraries or Audio-visual departments will be reconsidered if a concerned member of the St. Catherine community asks for reconsideration.

Procedures for reevaluation of Library or Media Services materials are as follows:

1.  The concerned patron should speak directly with a librarian or the Collection Development Librarian.

2. The Librarian should listen and attempt to understand the problem.

3. The Librarian should explain the library's or audio-visual department's collection development policy (especially the section on specific criteria to be used in evaluating individual titles for selection).

4. If necessary, the Librarian should give the patron a Request Form for Reevaluation of Library or Media Services Materials, and ask that it be filled out and returned.

5. Upon receiving a completed request form (see #4 above), a committee will be formed, composed of the Director, the Collection Development Librarian, a library advisory committee member, an Media Services staff person, and one additional library or a-v staff member, depending on where the issue originates. This committee will read the material and reviews of the item, and make a decision concerning the disposition of the material.

6. The Director will convey the decision to the patron in writing.

7. The Director will also discuss the decision with the patron if requested to do so.