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UWF Libraries Collection Development and Management Policy

Material Reconsideration

Appendix V: Materials Reconsideration Policy

The University of West Florida (UWF) Libraries adhere to the American Library Association’s (ALA) Library Bill of Rights, endorse ALA’s Freedom to Read statement, and believe in the principles of Intellectual Freedom and Diverse Collections.

  • Article 1 of the Library Bill of Rights asserts: “Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.”
  • Article 2 of the Library Bill of Rights asserts: “Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”

Resources acquired for the UWF Libraries are selected in accordance with our Collection Development & Management Policy, which is designed to meet the university’s teaching, research, and service missions. It is the responsibility of the Libraries to ensure that different points of view are represented in the collection and we resist censorship in all its forms. The appearance of any resource does not mean the Libraries advocate or endorse the ideas found in that resource.

Resources in the UWF Libraries may be challenged by current UWF students, faculty, and staff. A challenge to a resource must be based on the failure of that resource to fall within the Libraries’ Collection Development & Management Policy, including the commitment to intellectual freedom. Challenged items will remain accessible to library users for the duration of the challenge.

Any current UWF student, faculty, or staff member wishing to challenge a resource in the UWF Libraries will be asked to complete a Materials Reconsideration Request form. Contact the Library Administration Office (850-474-2492) to request a form. The completed form will be submitted to the Dean of Libraries, who will acknowledge receipt of the form to the challenger. In consultation with the Collection Development Coordinator, the relevant subject specialist librarian(s), and the University Library Committee, the Dean will consider the request and make a disposition decision. The person making the challenge will be notified in writing by the Dean of Libraries within three months of that decision and any action to be taken. The Dean reserves the right to extend the time period for decisions as necessary, and the complainant will be notified accordingly. All decisions are final. Once validated by the process, materials shall not be eligible for further reevaluation as each challenged item has been through a rigorous review.

 

Adopted : July 2023