Review and Reconsideration Policy

The Canton Public Library welcomes expressions of opinion concerning materials, programs, or displays. A Canton resident with a vested interest who wishes that a specific item, program, or display be reconsidered must complete in full and submit a Request for Reconsideration Form, available at the library or from the Library Director. Reconsideration forms submitted by nonresidents will not be accepted.

In accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322 and 323, the Canton Public Library abides by the following statutory requirements:

All library materials are evaluated and made accessible in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a-64 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
No library material, display, or program shall be removed, or programs be cancelled, because of the origin, background, or viewpoints expressed in such material, display, or program or because of the origin, background, or viewpoints of the creator of such material, display, or program.
Library materials, displays, and programs shall only be excluded for legitimate pedagogical purposes or for professionally accepted standards of collection maintenance practices as adopted in the Collection Development and Maintenance Policy, the Display Policy, or the Program Policy.
The review and reconsideration process for residents to challenge any library material, display, or program shall neither favor nor disfavor any group based on protected characteristics.
The individual completing a reconsideration form must include specific information about which portion or portions of such material they object to and provide an explanation of the reasons for such objection. The Request for Reconsideration form must include the individual’s full legal name, address, and telephone number.
Any library material being challenged will remain available in the library according to its catalog record and be available for a resident to reserve, check out, or access until a final decision is made by the Library Director.

Review Process

The Library Director, along with appropriate staff, will evaluate the Request for Reconsideration Form, read the challenged material in its entirety, evaluate the challenged material against the collection development and maintenance policy, and make a written decision on whether or not to remove the challenged material not later than sixty days from the date of receiving such request. The Library Director shall provide a copy of their decision and report to the individual who submitted the form. Should multiple Request for Reconsideration Forms be received for a single material, program, or display, the Library Director may consolidate these requests.

The final authority regarding the removal or retention of library materials ultimately resides with the Library Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Any appeal of the decision of the Library Director should be directed, in writing, to the Board.

In the event of an appeal, the Board shall:

(A) consult with (i) the Library Director, (ii) the State Librarian or the State Librarian’s designee, (iii) a representative of the cooperating library service unit, as defined in section 11-9e of the Connecticut General Statutes, (iv) the president of the Connecticut Library Association or the president’s designee, and (v) the president of the Association of Connecticut Library Boards or the president’s designee;
(B) deliberate on such request for reconsideration;
(C) provide a written statement of the reasons for the reconsideration or refusal to reconsider the library material; and
(D) provide any final decision that is contrary to the decision of the Library Director.

Once a decision has been made by the Library Director or the Board on the reconsideration of any library material, such material cannot be subject to a new request for reconsideration for a period of three years from the date of the initial decision. The Library Director shall summarize the previous decision in response to any new request for reconsideration during that three-year time period.

The Library is prohibited by state statute from removing, excluding or censoring any book on the sole basis that an individual finds such book offensive.

Per Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322f, any librarian or staff member of a public library who, in good faith, implements these policies shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed and shall have the same immunity with respect to any judicial proceeding that results from such implementation.

Privacy of Requests for Reconsideration

In accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322e-7, reconsideration requests are not confidential patron records as defined in Section 11-25 of the Connecticut General Statutes. They are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be shared with interested parties, including but not limited to the Intellectual Freedom committees of the American Library Association and the Connecticut Library Association.

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees, September 10, 2025