First Defense File

First Defense File

When a book challenge is initiated, please follow the following procedure:

1. Make an appointment with the person challenging the material for a consultation. During this consultation, find out the reason(s) why the person thinks that the material needs to be removed from the collection. Many potential challenges can be solved by talking with the person who might have a misconception or questions about the book. If the person insists upon challenging the material, give them a challenge form (Sample Form).
2. After the challenge form has been completed and submitted, submit it to a challenge board of review. The board should be made up of the library director, the staff librarian who consulted the person, a library board member, and two objective members of the community. The board should convene and select a date for the material to be reviewed.
3. During the time between the meeting of the board and the review date, a librarian should compile a defense file for that specific material. The defense file should include: information about the author, information about the plot, a synopsis of the challenged elements and their use in the material, critical reviews of the work, a rational of the material’s value in the collection, circulation numbers, and how this material fits into the collection development policy (Sample Policy).
4. The challenge board of review convenes on the date that was set. The board will review the defense file that has be compiled and discuss the material and its place within the library. A decision can be made that meeting or a movement can be made to postpone judgment until a date that is set at the meeting. If the judgment was postponed, a decision must be made on the date that was agreed upon. After every meeting, the minutes, notes, and any decisions of from that review will be shared with the person who challenged the material.
5. The challenged material will have the decided inaction, modifications, or removal from the challenge board of review.
6. The challenge is to be reported to the American Library Association.