3.11 Unwanted/Inappropriate resources

Disputed materials are those that may be considered controversial or offensive to students, staff or other school community members.

The way to handle these objections should be documented clearly in the school library's collection development policy. A procedure should be arrived at through discussions with the principal, who has responsibility to the school community for all activities conducted in the school.

Whether the objections are on political, racial or moral grounds, by having in place a policy, and procedures to follow, the complaints can be handled in a logical, non-emotive and established way.

The procedures should state clearly:

• How will the objector be asked to document their concerns? (It may be useful to devise a form for objectors to complete)
• What will the process of review be?
• Who will reassess the material?
• Will it be temporarily withdrawn from the collection while awaiting a decision?
• What will happen to the material once a decision has been made? For example, will it be available for all students or only certain students?
• How will the objector be informed of the school's procedures and decision?

A review committee should carefully consider the implications of withdrawing useful materials from all students in response to an objection from a minority group. As much as possible the library's collection should reflect a balance of views from different perspectives on major issues.

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