Request for Reconsideration of Materials

Cranston Public Library Request for Reconsideration of Materials

The choice of library materials by patrons is an individual matter.  The library recognizes that some materials may be controversial or offensive to an individual, but maintains that individuals can apply their values only to themselves. Parents and legal guardians have the responsibility and right to guide the values of their children. As such, parents and legal guardians are responsible for the materials that their children borrow and should make decisions accordingly. 

The Cranston Public Library supports intellectual freedom and the right of library users to read and seek information. The Library endorses the American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read Statement (opens in a new tab), Freedom to View Statement (opens in a new tab), the Library Bill of Rights (opens in a new tab) and all relevant interpretations (opens in a new tab).  

Cranston residents requesting reconsideration of library materials must complete the Cranston Public Library Request for Reconsideration form (below) in its entirety. Only signed, completed forms will be considered. The Library Director will acknowledge receipt of the form within fourteen business days. 

The relevant library staff will review the library material to ascertain whether it meets the standards set forth in the library’s Collection Development Policy, and will make a written recommendation to the Library Director as to the validity of the request. During this process the material in question will remain on the shelf and available for circulation. The Library Director will respond to the request for reconsideration within thirty days. This timeline allows the library staff to evaluate an item in its entirety rather than focusing on portions of the content. 

The Library Director, after reviewing the recommendation, will render a decision on the requested action and will notify the patron of said decision. A final appeal may be made to the Library Board of Trustees. 

• Decisions regarding materials that are part of a series may be applied to the entire series.
• The library does not accept lists of items for reconsideration. Each item must be accompanied with an individually completed reconsideration form.
• A title will only be considered for reconsideration once in a thirty-six month period. 

A copy of the request form without identifying patron information will be sent to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom and the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) Intellectual Freedom Committee. The request form in its entirety may be publically available per RIGL 38-2. 

Download the Request for Reconsideration form here

Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 9/9/2015
Revised by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 12/8/2021
Revised by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 7/13/2022
Revised by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 3/8/2023
Revised by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 11/8/2023