Statement of Concern
Procedure: Statement of Concern
Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources
Patrons who feel that action is necessary to address concerns about an item in the collection, an exhibit, or a program at the Fargo Public Library are asked to follow this procedure.
No more than two reconsideration requests can be submitted by the same individual at one time. Reconsideration requests may only be submitted by residents and taxpayers of Fargo. If multiple reconsideration requests are submitted, the committee will consider each request consecutively. A resource may not be reviewed if a determination has been made in the last two years.
1. 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 is also available on the library’s website.
The form must be filled out in its entirety with the individual's name, address, and signature, and returned to the library director. If the form is not fully 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.
2. If the statement is about a book or other material, the library director will obtain the resource and locate as many reviews as possible.
3. The item and the reviews will be made available for a committee of appropriate selectors and department staff. In the case of concern about program content or an exhibit, the resource and reviews will be made available to appropriate department staff. All resources for which a reconsideration form has been submitted will remain available to the public until the library board completes its voting process.
4. The appropriate committee will meet to discuss the resource and make a determination based on their consideration of the resource as a whole, the reviews, and their knowledge of the library collection and the community.
5. The library director will notify the individual of the committee's recommendation. The patron may request a meeting with the committee to review the recommendation.
6. The library board will vote on the committee recommendation at their next regularly scheduled meeting. The board's vote will be final.
Approved by the Board of Directors: 12-16-1997;
Revised 06-15-2010
Revised 9-18-2018
Revised 8-20-2019
Revised 8-16-2022
Revised 5-16-2023