Statement of Concern
Procedure: Statement of Concern
People who would like to express their concern about an item in the collection, an exhibit, or a program at the Fargo Public Library are asked to follow this procedure in order that their concerns are duly noted and that the library will respond.
- The individual who would like to file a statement may request a form from any of the public service desks or the administrative office. The form will be mailed or faxed if requested.
The form must be filled out in its entirety with the individuals name and address and returned to the library director. Delivery in person, by mail or by fax is acceptable; e-mail is not. If the form is not completed, the library will take no action.
The library director will notify the individual in writing of receipt of the statement and the course of action to be taken.
- If the statement is about a book or other print material the library director will obtain the item and locate as many reviews as possible.
- The item and the reviews will be made available for the Materials Selection Committee (or, in the case of concern about program content, the appropriate department head and staff).
- Discussion of the item will take place at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Materials Selection Committee or the appropriate department staff. The meeting will be open to the public.
The committee will make a determination based on their consideration of the work as a whole, the reviews, and their knowledge of the library collection and the community.
The library director will notify the individual and the library board of the committee's recommendation.
- The library board will vote on the committee recommendation at their next regularly scheduled meeting. The boards vote will be final.
Approved 12-16-1997