Statements of Concern About Library Resources Policy

A. General

The intent of the Statement of Concern about Library Resources is to create a procedure that allows a library patron to request the reconsideration of whether a library material should remain in any of the Children’s, Juvenile, Teen, or Young Adult collections, or as such collections may be designated in the future, as provided in La R.S. 25:225C(1), opens a new window, and La R.S. 25:225C (2), opens a new window(d).

This Section is adopted in accordance with La. R.S. 25:225, opens a new window and applies exclusively to requests alleging that library material in such collections may constitute sexually explicit material as defined by law.

All other concerns, including but not limited to classification, shelving, location, displays, programming, general content objections, or viewpoint disagreements, may be submitted through a Community Input Form and will be handled administratively.

This Section shall not be used to challenge materials for reasons unrelated to alleged sexually explicit content in such collections, nor shall Statements of Concern or any related appeals be used to request or review the placement or relocation of library materials within the collection, except as required by applicable state law, including La. R.S. 25:225, opens a new window. Placement decisions are administrative in nature and are made by library staff in accordance with library policy and applicable law.

B. Process

1. Any person residing in St. Tammany Parish who has reached the age of majority and who holds a St. Tammany Parish Library card and wishes to express concerns about library materials, programs, or displays may complete a “Statement of Concern About Library Resources” form, also referred to as a “Request for Reconsideration” pursuant to La. R.S. 25:225, opens a new window. However, processing a Statement of Concern form entails significant cost and time commitments. Therefore, anyone who has a concern about library resources is encouraged to discuss their concerns with a library staff member before filing a Statement of Concern form.The Statement of Concern form shall be available at the library circulation desk, the library’s website, by email request, and at all Library Board of Control meetings. All completed Statement of Concern forms will be forwarded to the Library Director and to each member of the Library Board of Control. Upon receipt of the Statement of Concern form the Director will confirm receipt to the complainant(s). Statements of Concern that do not meet the submission criteria will not be considered.Any Statement of Concern seeking to restrict access by a minor to a digital resource categorized as Adult and thus only available to Adult, Juvenile, and Juvenile Unrestricted cards, shall not be considered.

2. The Director will select two or more staff members to serve on an internal committee to review each Statement of Concern and the subject of the concern. Committee members will be chosen by the Director based on the type of material under review and taking into consideration the staff member’s education and experience. Reconsideration requests shall be scheduled in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with maintaining orderly administrative function.
3. The committee members shall:

a. Review the material in its entirety.
b. Compile relevant evaluative information, including a brief synopsis of the material as appropriate.
c. Evaluate whether the material depicts sexual conduct as defined in La. R.S. 25:225, opens a new window.
d. Consider whether the material is accessible to minors.
e. Conduct a discussion to reach a decision.
f. Submit a written report to the Director with the recommended decision based on the result of the committee’s efforts.

4. The Director shall make a written determination based on the committee’s review and shall notify the complainant of that determination.If the Director determines that the material may include sexually explicit content as defined by applicable law and is located within any of the Children’s, Juvenile, Teen, or Young Adult collections, or as such collections may be designated in the future, the matter shall be forwarded to the Library Board of Control for consideration pursuant to La. R.S. 25:225, opens a new windowIf the Director determines that the material does not meet the definition of sexually explicit content under applicable law and is located within such collections, the complainant may appeal that determination to the Library Board of Control in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section, subject to the limitations provided in La. R.S. 25:225C(2)(d)(ii), opens a new window.

5. Pursuant to La. R.S. 25:225C(2)(d)(ii), opens a new window, any Statements of Concern of a library material in such collections that may include sexually explicit material available to minors shall be reviewed by the Library Board of Control under the procedures outlined in Subsection C(2-5) of this Section.

C. Right to Appeal

1. The complainant may appeal to the Library Board of Control by contacting the Assistant Director within 30 days of mailing of the committee’s decision and requesting to be placed on the agenda of the next available scheduled board meeting. The Assistant Director must notify the Library Board of Control of the appeal being placed on the agenda.
2. A complainant will have five minutes to address the Library Board of Control about the specific challenged material on the original Statement of Concern form. Should multiple appeals be filed regarding a specific item in the library or should multiple appeals be lodged by an individual regarding materials in the library, those appeals may be consolidated by the Library Board of Control and a reasonable amount of time shall be set at the hearing by the Library Board of Control.The provisions contained in this Resolution, including but not limited to allowing consolidation of multiple appeals of the same item or multiple appeals filed by a person regardless of the type of library material as well as the provision providing for a reasonable time being set by the LBOC are procedural in nature and are applicable to all pending Statements of Concern and any subsequent Statements of Concern.
3. A period of public comment will precede any action taken by the Board.
4. The Library Board of Control shall vote to affirm, modify, reject, or take under advisement the committee’s decision. Matters taken under advisement shall be renoticed for a future meeting. Upon modification or rejection of the decision of the committee, the Board shall decide what action will be taken in response to the Statement of Concern. The decision of the Board shall be rendered by a majority vote. In the event there is a tie, the committee’s decision is affirmed.
5. The complainant(s) will be notified in writing of the decision of the Library Board of Control.

D. The decision on a Statement of Concern about specific materials, programs, or displays shall mean the initial action taken and shall remain in effect unless and until reconsidered by the Library Board of Control. The complainant may appeal the decision as provided by applicable law. Statements of Concern that have already been decided, including those submitted during the pendency of an appeal, shall receive a copy of the current decision and shall not initiate a separate review or be considered individually or as part of a consolidated request. The Board may, at its discretion, place a previously decided item on the agenda for reconsideration.