Library Resource Review Requests
Our Commitment to Intellectual Freedom
Baker County Library District (BCLD) is committed to providing a diverse collection of resources that serves the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational interests of our community.
Our collections represent a broad range of subjects, perspectives, experiences, and ideas. The inclusion of a resource does not mean the Library endorses its content or viewpoint. Likewise, resources are not excluded, restricted, or removed solely because an individual or group finds their content objectionable or disagrees with the ideas expressed.
Reading, viewing, listening, and using library resources are matters of individual choice. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for guiding their own children's library use and reading selections. BCLD respects these decisions while preserving other families' freedom to make different choices.
The Library welcomes questions, concerns, and suggestions regarding its collections. Our Board-approved Collection Development Policy establishes fair and consistent procedures for evaluating both existing resources and decisions not to acquire suggested resources.
[Read the BCLD Collection Development Policy (PDF)]1. Request for Review of Library Resource
Community members who have questions or concerns about a particular resource currently available through BCLD are encouraged to discuss them with library staff.
Staff can explain how resources are selected, classified, and made available, and can help identify other materials that may better suit individual interests or preferences.
Who May Submit a Formal Request?
A formal Request for Review may be submitted by an individual who:
- Is at least 18 years old;
- Resides in Baker County, Oregon;
- Holds a registered BCLD library card; and
- Has first discussed the concern with the Library Director or the Director's designee and allowed an opportunity for informal resolution.
Formal requests from groups or organizations are not accepted, although organizations may communicate their views through regular public-comment and correspondence channels.
Each formal request must address one specific title, work, item, or other discrete resource. BCLD will consider no more than one formal Request for Review from the same individual within a 30-day period.
How to Submit a Request
Step 1: Discuss your concern. Contact the Library Director or designee to discuss the resource, applicable collection policies, and possible informal resolutions.
Step 2: Review the Collection Development Policy. Familiarize yourself with the professional criteria used to select, organize, and maintain library resources.
Step 3: Complete the Request for Review of Library Resource form. Provide the required information, explain your concern, identify the action you are requesting, and sign the form. Supporting information may be attached.
Request for Review of Library Resource — Download Form (PDF)Step 4: Submit the completed form. Return it to the Library Director at Baker County Library District, 2400 Resort Street, Baker City, OR 97814.
What Happens After a Request Is Submitted?
The Library Director will verify eligibility and review the submission for completeness. If required information is missing, the requester will be notified and given 30 calendar days to provide it.
A complete request will be evaluated under the Collection Development Policy. The Director may conduct the review with qualified staff or appoint a Resource Review Committee of at least three qualified staff members.
Reviewers consider the entire resource in context, its intended audience, applicable selection criteria, professional evaluations, and other relevant information. Personal agreement or disagreement with a resource's viewpoint is not grounds for determining its suitability.
The resource will remain available under ordinary library rules while the review is pending, unless it becomes unavailable for reasons unrelated to the request or a law or court order requires otherwise.
The Director will normally issue a written decision within 30 calendar days after receiving a complete request. If more time is necessary, the requester will receive a written status update and estimated decision date.
Appeal to the Board of Directors
A requester dissatisfied with the Director's final decision may submit a written appeal to the Library Director or Board Chair within 10 business days after the date of the decision.
The appeal must identify the provision of the Collection Development Policy or review procedure believed to have been incorrectly applied or not followed, and explain why.
The Board evaluates whether the review and decision reasonably complied with established policy. Its role is not to substitute trustees' personal preferences for professional collection judgment.
The Board may affirm the decision, require additional review, or direct another action consistent with policy and applicable law. The Board's decision is final.
A resource formally reviewed and retained will not ordinarily be reconsidered for three years, unless materially different grounds, changes to the resource, or other significant circumstances justify another review.
2. Request for Review of Declined Acquisition
Suggesting Resources for the Collection
BCLD welcomes suggestions from Baker County residents for books, films, audiobooks, digital resources, and other materials they would like the Library to acquire.
Suggestions are evaluated using the Collection Development Policy, including community interest, collection needs, educational and cultural value, format, availability, cost, and other relevant factors.
Because the Library cannot acquire every suggested resource, a purchase suggestion does not guarantee acquisition. When appropriate, library staff may help locate a resource through interlibrary loan, cooperative borrowing, or other resource-sharing services.
Requesting Review of a Declined Suggestion
If BCLD declines to acquire a suggested resource, an eligible requester may ask the Library Director to reconsider the decision.
To qualify, the requester must:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Be a resident of Baker County, Oregon;
- Hold a registered BCLD library card; and
- Submit a written Request for Review of Declined Acquisition within 30 calendar days after receiving notice that the acquisition suggestion was declined.
The request must identify the specific resource and explain why its acquisition would be consistent with BCLD's Collection Development Policy.
How to Submit a Request
Complete and sign the Request for Review of Declined Acquisition form, including the required resource information, reasons for reconsideration, and any supporting materials you wish the Library to consider.
[Request for Review of Declined Acquisition — Download Form (PDF)]Submit the completed form to the Library Director at Baker County Library District, 2400 Resort Street, Baker City, OR 97814.
Review and Decision
The Library Director will review the original acquisition decision using the applicable selection criteria. Considerations may include professional reviews, community demand, collection needs, availability, purchase or licensing costs, and resource-sharing alternatives.
If required information is missing, the requester will have 30 calendar days after notification to correct the submission.
The Director will normally provide a written decision explaining the determination within 30 calendar days after receiving a complete request. If more time is required, the requester will receive a written status update and estimated decision date.
Appeal to the Board of Directors
A requester dissatisfied with the Director's decision may submit a written appeal to the Library Director or Board Chair within 10 business days after the date of the written decision.
The appeal must identify the specific Collection Development Policy provision believed to have been incorrectly applied or not followed and explain the basis for that belief.
The Board will determine whether the acquisition decision reasonably complied with established policy. It may affirm the decision, direct additional review, or take another action consistent with policy and law. The Board's decision is final.
A resource that has completed this review process will not ordinarily be reconsidered for acquisition for 12 months unless a material circumstance changes.
3. Privacy and Public Records
Formal requests, requester names, related correspondence, and library decisions may be public records under Oregon law.
Library card information, circulation records, protected contact information, and other confidential information will be handled in accordance with applicable law and BCLD's Privacy and Confidentiality Policy.
4. Questions or Assistance
If you have questions about library resources, acquisition decisions, or either review process, please contact the Library Director.
Baker County Library District
2400 Resort Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-6419
We welcome thoughtful public participation and remain committed to fair, transparent collection decisions that respect intellectual freedom, professional standards, and the diverse interests of our community.
