Request for Reconsideration Policy
The Camrose Public Library endorses the following “Statement on Intellectual Freedom” from the Canadian Library Association (CLA June 17, 1974, amended: November 17, 1983, November 18, 1985):
All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation’s Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity, and to express their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual freedom under the law is essential to the health and development of Canadian society.
It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those, which some elements of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable. To this end, Camrose Public Library shall acquire, display, and make available the widest variety of materials.
It is the responsibility of the library to guarantee the right of free expression by making available all the library’s public facilities and services to all individuals and groups who need them.
Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups.
Both employees and employers in libraries have a duty, in addition to their institutional responsibilities, to uphold these principles.
The Camrose Public Library Board does not interpret its function or that of its staff to be the supervisor of public morals. The library board believes in the freedom of the individual and the right and obligation of parents to develop, interpret, and enforce their own code of acceptable conduct upon their own household.
Complaints
Unless a material is officially prohibited from entering Canada, it is legally permissible to be on the library shelves. If an individual objects strongly to a particular material, that person may complete a "Request for Reconsideration of Library Material" form. Each complaint will be dealt with personally. A written response will be made to the patron. In reviewing complaints, the following principles will apply:
- contemporary significance or permanent value
- accuracy and literary merit
- popular demand or appeal
- the use of profanity or the treatment of sex in itself is not an adequate reason for withdrawing a book or other material type from the collection.
Patron requests for reconsideration of specific materials shall be made in writing to the Director. After review, including Board input when appropriate, the patron will receive a written explanation of the Library's decision.
Approval Date: May 2013
Amended: February 2016, February 2017, February 2019
Revision/Review Date: February 2022
Approval Signature: original signed by Board Chair: Elizabeth Luck