Dealing with Censorship

What To Do Before The Censor Comes:

● Be familiar with the written selection policy, guidelines, appeals procedure and complaint
form. (need to add link to reconsideration form)

● Have a copy of the Talking with Stakeholders talking points

● Bookmark the TLA Intellectual Freedom page and the TLA Intellectual Freedom
Committee page.

● Identify local groups interested in maintaining intellectual freedom in libraries.

What To Do When the Censor Comes:

● Be positive and emphatic in dealing with the complainant.

● Be objective, professional and calm in handling the incident.

● Do not argue with the patron. Use the BISD INFORMAL COMPLAINTS AND
EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN to guide your conversation.

● Discuss your selection policy as it relates to the service philosophy of the library.

● Outline the appeals procedure and supply complaint form.

● Prepare a written record of the complaint, keep complete, factual records of all
subsequent written and oral communications.

● Notify the Lead Librarian immediately.

● Do not remove disputed materials until the appeals process is completed. All media
regarding the appeals process will be handled by the District Director of Communication
and Community Engagement. Do not despair, or resign your position. Above all…

● Do not be reluctant to seek advice from TLA, ALA or NCTE through the numbers listed
on this page.

Call 512-328-1518 or 800-580-2852 to contact your TLA committee on Intellectual Freedom

Call 312-280-4223 or 800-545-2433 ext. 4223 to gain the help and advice of the ALA Office for
Intellectual Freedom

Advice from the Lead Librarian:

Don’t defend the book -- explain the selection policy!

Other Resources:

● The Library Bill of Rights

● Access to Resources and Services in the School Library: An Interpretation of the Library
Bill of Rights
● Freedom to Read Statement
● The Students’ Right to Read (NCTE)
● Texans for the Right to Read

This work is a derivative of the Dealing with Censorship Guidelines by Mesquite ISD Library Services.