Challenged Library Materials Policy 

According to the American Library Association (ALA) the definition of a ‘challenge’ to literature is an attempt by a person or group of people to have materials, such as books, removed from a library or school curriculum, or otherwise restricted.  

David H. Townsend Library works to serve the community by seeking materials on a broad range of subject matter that reflects diversity. The library endorses the Freedom to Read statement, provided by the ALA. Materials are selected in keeping with the university policies and the Library Bill of Rights. It is the responsibility of the library to ensure that different points of view are represented in the collection. 

Guiding Principles 

• The library will provide diverse materials reflecting different points of view 
• The library will provide access to information to all patrons 
• Patrons have a First Amendment right to read, view, and listen to library resources 
• Anyone has the right to express concerns about resources and expect to have the objection taken seriously 
• Challenged items will be considered in its entirety, not judged solely on portions taken out of context 
• Patrons must give the same right to read, view, and listen to others using the facility 
• The reconsideration process should be completed in its entirety and not subverted or ended prematurely, leaving the library open to legal challenge 

Selection Criteria 

Materials selected for Townsend Library are consistent with the mission of the university and supports the institution’s curriculum and research needs in collaboration with the administrators, faculty, and staff. According to the Association of College & Research Libraries’ Standards for Libraries in Higher Education, “Libraries provide access to collections sufficient in quality depth, diversity, format, and currency to support the research and teaching mission of the institution.” Academic freedom is also required and protected by New Mexico State University Administrative Rules and Procedures (add link to that here if possible) 

Townsend Library supports the free exchange of ideas with collections that seek to provide access to a selection of materials on all subjects that support the NMSU mission. The library works to balance access to and ownership of information resources that offer the widest possible range of viewpoints. Materials will not be excluded because of the directness of language or controversial approach or because of the political, moral or religious, sexual, social, economic, or scientific views expressed or because of the race or national origin, politics, or religion of the author.  

General Criteria included, but not limited to: 

• Timeliness of material 
• Accuracy, quality and depth of material 
• Relevancy of subject or title to NMSU’s current and potential scholarly/curriculum needs including “standard or important works in a field” 
• Represents a variety of perspectives on controversial topics 
• Scope and Content (representation and diversity) 
• Cost 
• Availability of formats and accessibility both virtually and physically  

Challenged Resources 

Materials in the Townsend library may be challenged by all patrons. A challenge must be based on the failure of that resource to fall within the library collection development policy, to include the commitment to intellectual freedom. Patrons may request the library take one of two actions: 

1. Removal of the material because it is inappropriate. 
2. Add a source to balance the collection by providing alternative views. 

The library may agree to either act or take no action at all. All challenged materials will remain on the shelf and available for patrons to check-out during the duration of the challenge review.  

Reconsideration Procedure 

Patrons wishing to challenge a resource in Townsend Library for any reason may meet with the library director. If the patron is not satisfied after speaking with the director, they may begin the process of filing a formal complaint. The patron will need to request the Reconsideration of Library Resources form for each item up for challenge from the library director. The form should be completed in full or no action will be taken. The form and material challenged will be reviewed by the library director, a committee of Librarians and Teaching Faculty, and will become part of the public record. The patron will get an acknowledgement receipt of the form and a final written response to the submitted request within 90 days of receiving the initial request. The appeals process, if needed, will go to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and then to the President/Chancellor of the College.