Reconsideration Policy

Guiding Principles

The library recognizes the right of community members to question library materials, programs, or services.

The choice of library materials by patrons is an individual matter. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for the materials that their children borrow. While a person may reject materials for themself or their children, they cannot exercise censorship to restrict access to library materials by others.

Because the Paul Pratt Memorial Library (“the library”) aims to represent diverse perspectives and ideas, not every event, service, or item in the collections will be for everyone. The library does not make acquisition decisions based on protecting patrons from particular content or topics, and expects that individuals using the library will determine which resources and services are right for them and/or their children. 

Who May Request 

To file a request for reconsideration, the requesting individual must be a resident of Cohasset.  Anonymous submissions will not be considered. 

Informal Complaints 

Cohasset community members with concerns about materials in the library’s collections may direct their concerns to any staff member, who will address it with their supervisor. If the resident wishes for a more in-depth assessment, a formal Request for Reconsideration may be submitted.

Formal Reconsideration Requests

To file a formal reconsideration request, the patron will fill out the Request for Reconsideration Form detailing objections to the material. Reconsideration Request Form. The form will be referred to the Materials Review Committee, which shall consist of the Library Director, two staff members on the Selection Team, and a designated Library Trustee. 

The Materials Review Committee will review the Reconsideration Form and the material in question, to consider whether its selection follows the criteria stated in the collection development policy. 

The Library Director will review the request and inform the petitioner of the decision in writing within 30 days. 

Limits to Requests

Individuals may submit one Reconsideration form at a time, for one title per form.  The Library will not reconsider any material for the same objection, for a period of three years from the original complaint.

Reconsideration Request Appeals

If an individual is not satisfied with the Library Director's decision, they may appeal it in writing to the Board of Library Trustees. The Trustees will consider the appeal at their next regular meeting. If Open Meeting Law or other circumstances prohibit the Board from meeting with sufficient speed, the Trustee Chair will consider the appeal. The decision of the Board of Trustees, or in extenuating circumstances its Chair, will be final.

Availability of Materials under Reconsideration

The material under reconsideration will remain in circulation until the reconsideration process is completed.   

Policy Acknowledgements

Parts of this policy were adapted from similar policies at the Billerica Public Library, Chicopee Public Library, Goodnow Library, Hopkinton Public Library, and the ALA Selection Policy Toolkit.   

Adopted by the Trustees of the Paul Pratt Memorial Library, May 14, 2025