Book, Material, and Program Selection Policies
Review and Reconsideration Policy
for Programs, Materials, and Displays
Manchester Public Library
The Library welcomes expressions of opinion concerning materials, programs, or displays. All library materials are evaluated and made accessible in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a-64 of the Connecticut General Statutes. A Manchester resident with a vested interest who wishes that a specific item, program, or display be reconsidered is asked to complete and submit a Reconsideration Form. In accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323 the Manchester Public Library abides by the following statutory requirements: No library material, display, or program shall be removed, or programs be cancelled, because of the origin, background, or viewpoints expressed in such material, display, or program or because of the origin, background, or viewpoints of the creator of such material, display, or program. Library materials, displays, and programs shall only be excluded for legitimate pedagogical purposes or for professionally accepted standards of collection maintenance practices as adopted in the collection development and maintenance policy or in the display and program policy. The Material Review and Reconsideration process for town residents to challenge any library material, display, or program shall neither favor nor disfavor any group based on protected characteristics. "Resident” means that a person is principally domiciled in our town. A borrower who holds dual residency or who owns property in more than one town is considered a resident only in the town where they are principally domiciled. In all other towns, that borrower is a nonresident. Reconsideration requests are not confidential patron records under section 11-25 of the CT General Statutes. Any library material being challenged will remain available in the library according to its catalog record and be available for a resident to reserve, check out, or access until a final decision is made by the Library Director. In the event of a challenge regarding a display or program, that display or program will remain until a final decision is rendered. Multiple Reconsideration forms filed in quick succession by multiple residents can be consolidated into one decision, and all submitters of the forms will be notified of the decision.
Review Process: The Library Director, along with appropriate staff, will evaluate the Request for Reconsideration form, read the challenged material in its entirety (or review the content of a display or program), evaluate the challenged material against the appropriate policy, and make a written decision on whether or not to remove the challenged material no later than sixty days from the date of receiving such request. The Library Director shall provide a copy of the Library Director's decision and report it to the individual who submitted the form. In the event that a resident objects to a public program or display, the Library Director shall review it and make a written decision whether to cancel or remove the display or program within sixty days from the date of receiving such request. The individual completing a reconsideration form must include specific information about which portion or portions of such material they object to and provide an explanation of the reasons for such objection. The Request for Reconsideration form must include the individual's full legal name, address and telephone number. The final authority regarding the removal or retention of library materials as well as removing displays or canceling programs ultimately resides with the Library Board. Any appeal of the decision of the Library Director should be directed to the Library Board. If appealed to them, the Library Board shall: (A) consult with (i) the Library Director, (ii) the State Librarian, or the State Librarian's designee, (iii) a representative of the cooperating library service unit, as defined in section 11-9e of the general statutes, (iv) the president of the Connecticut Library Association, or the president's designee, and (v) the president of the Association of Connecticut Library Boards, or the president's designee, (B) deliberate on such request for reconsideration, (C) provide a written statement of the reasons for the reconsideration or refusal to reconsider the library material, display, or program and (D) provide any final decision that is contrary to the decision of the Library Director. A resource that has previously been reconsidered by request shall be exempt from additional requests for reconsideration for three years following being retained in the Library’s collection despite a subsequent formal request for reconsideration. The Library Director shall summarize the previous decision in response to any new request for reconsideration during that three-year time period. The same process applies to programs or displays previously considered for reconsideration, for the same three-year time period. The Library is prohibited by State Statutes from removing, excluding, or censoring any book on the sole basis that an individual finds such book offensive.
The Library adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom adopted by the American Library Association as expressed in its Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements.
This policy is housed on the Manchester Public Library website as well as in the Library's Business Office and at all public service desks. This policy is in accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323. Library staff members who in good faith implement this policy shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed and shall have the same immunity with respect to any judicial proceeding that results from such implementation.
Collection Development and Maintenance Policy
Manchester Public Library
Purpose and Scope
This policy of the Manchester Public Library (the "Library") provides direction for the
growth and development of collections. This policy applies to the digital, print, and other physical materials in the Library's collection. The Library strives to select, acquire, curate, and provide free and easy access to materials, in all formats, that meet the varied needs and interests of the community. This policy provides guidance, within budgetary and space limitations, for the selection and evaluation of materials that anticipate and meet the needs of the community. It also addresses collection maintenance, replacement, and weeding (culling) of materials.
The Library makes every effort to provide library materials for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all residents. Library materials should represent a wide range of varied
and diverging viewpoints in the collection as a whole. The Library recognizes the importance of the public library as a place for voluntary inquiry, the dissemination of information and ideas, and promotion of free expression and free access to ideas by residents.
Specific acquisitions may include items considered to be unorthodox, unpopular, or
controversial in nature. The Library's acquisition of such items does not constitute
endorsement of their content but rather allows for their free expression. The Library adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom adopted by the American Library Association as expressed in its Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements. No library material shall be removed because of the origin, background, or viewpoints expressed in such material, or because of the origin, background, or viewpoints of the creator of such material. All library materials are evaluated and made accessible in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a-64 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Key Definitions
The Library's "collection" is the assemblage of books and other materials, in a variety
of formats (print, electronic media, downloadable audio books, digital, etc.), owned
or licensed and maintained by the Library and made available to the public at no cost.
A "Resident” is a person principally domiciled in our town. A person who holds dual residency or who owns property in more than one town is considered a resident only in the town where they are principally domiciled. In all other towns, that borrower is a nonresident.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Library Board delegates the oversight and management of the collection, within
the guidelines of this policy, to the Library Director and staff that are professionally trained
to curate and develop a collection that provides access to the widest array of library and
educational materials. Responsibility for the selection, maintenance, replacement, and
weeding of materials rests with the designated professional staff under the overall direction
of the Director. Any Consortium-level collections may be governed by an additional set of collection criteria. While the selection of library materials is typically the ongoing responsibility of library management, the Manchester Town Charter, Chapter 16, Section 16-1 states "The Library Board shall from time to time confer with the Library Director with respect to .... the selection and acquisition of materials..... The ultimate authority with respect to the acquisition and selection of library materials and the composition of collections shall reside with the Library Board."
Procedures
Selection
A. In order to build and maintain its high quality collection based on professionally
accepted standards of material relevance, physical condition, availability of duplicates,
availability of age appropriate or grade-level material, and continued demand of material, the
Library applies the following general criteria when considering materials for acquisition:
1. Public demand, interest or need
2. Accuracy and effectiveness of material
3. Anticipated potential for long-term public interest
4. Favorable assessments by reputable critics, reviewers, or organizations in professionally recognized publications
5. Prominence and credibility of author and publisher
6. Relation to existing collection and other material on the subject
7. Timeliness and importance of material as a document of the times; current or historical significance of the author or subject
8. Availability and affordability
9. Compatibility of format for Library use
10. Value as resource material
11. Suitability of subject or style for intended audience
12. Local origination or particular relevance to Manchester and the region
13. Public's ability to procure item from alternative sources
14. Availability of electronic bibliographic records
B. Selection of materials is based on the professional knowledge and judgment of
Library staff whose expertise includes familiarity with all types of materials, knowledge of
the strengths and weaknesses of the existing collection, and awareness of the needs and
interests of the community. Suggestions from patrons are welcome and are given
serious consideration. Staff will determine which will be acted upon. Library materials shall only be excluded for legitimate professionally accepted standards of collection maintenance practices as adopted in the collection development and maintenance policy. Any librarian or staff member
who, in good faith, implements the policies described in this policy shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed and shall have the same immunity with respect to any judicial proceeding that results from such implementation
C. Textbooks will generally not be considered for the collection unless they are the best or only available source of information in their subject area and serve the general public and
adult learning community. The Library does not purchase multiple copies of textbooks for
use by students.
D. Self-published books by local or Connecticut authors will be considered for the
Library collection if they are donated, meet the Library's standards of quality, and are determined to be of suitable interest to the public. Those that do not may be redistributed to the Friends of the Library for sale or otherwise disposed.
E. Wherever possible, the Library makes electronic information available in the Library and remotely. In choosing to purchase or license electronic databases, the Library applies the
same standards for selection as for print materials. However, the Library recognizes that it
does not have the same control over electronic databases as it has over its in-house print
materials. The Library will make every effort to provide assistance and ensure that the
public learns how to use its electronic databases.
F. "Born-digital" items are those materials created in a digital format. They are distinct from analog items that are subsequently digitized, such as paper manuscripts or photographs. At present, the Library has no method of permanently collecting these born-digital items. If that ability is realized in the future, criteria to be considered before the addition of those items will include:
(1.) Copyright and licensing
(2.) Redaction of personally identifiable information
(3.) Any restrictions on use or circulation
(4.) Maintenance and evolution of accepted formats
Collection Maintenance
Maintenance of the collection includes discarding, replacement, rebinding and repair. If an item is lost or damaged, it may not necessarily be replaced depending upon the number of
duplicate copies or similar materials in the collection, existence of adequate coverage of
the subject field, and demand for the specific author, title or subject. It is sometimes
preferable to purchase current materials rather than replace older ones.
Weeding
Weeding is a term used by libraries to describe the removal of materials from their
collections. Such items may contain outdated or inaccurate information, may be duplicate copies, no longer be of interest, are inconsistent with evolving community standards, or are in poor condition. At the Library, weeding is performed as a regular, ongoing process by qualified staff and the Library Director in the interest of keeping all collections current and useful. Weeded materials in good condition may be sold, donated, or disposed of following normal municipal procedures. Generally, standard titles of permanent value and materials of local significance are spared weeding even if they may meet the other criteria for so doing.
Gifts and Donations
The Library welcomes gifts of books and other materials for the collection and applies to
them the same standards of selection that govern purchases. Gift materials are accepted
with the understanding that those that meet the Library's selection criteria may be retained
and those that do not may be redistributed to the Friends of the Library or other organizations.
Controversial Materials
A. The Library recognizes that some materials may not be considered appropriate by all
patrons. Selections will not be made based upon anticipated approval or disapproval, but
solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the collection and to serving
the interests of the overall library patron community.
B. Responsibility for the reading, listening and viewing habits of children rests with their
parents or legal guardians. The Library maintains several age-appropriate collections for children and teens. Materials may be reassigned among these sub-collections based on the age appropriateness of the content. Selection of adult material will not be inhibited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of children. The removal, exclusion, or censoring of any book on the sole basis that an individual finds such book offensive is prohibited.
C. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents, and no catalogued book or other item will be removed from the open shelves
except for the express purpose of protecting it from damage or theft.
D. The decision by an author, publisher, or other content creator to withdraw their work
from the market and stop selling or publishing it will not be considered sufficient reason
alone for the Library to withdraw it from the collection.
Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
The Library recognizes that not all users will greet all materials with the same degree of
enthusiasm and regard. Therefore, some materials selected for the collections may seem
controversial and even distasteful to some Library users. It is the right of the individual not
to read, view or hear materials that the individual considers objectionable. When evaluating library materials, the Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements from the American Library Association are used as guiding documents.
The Manchester Public Library Board recognizes the importance of hearing from the
public regarding material selection. The completion of a Request for Reconsideration form does not guarantee either accession to the collection or removal from the collection but does ensure the attention of Library Staff to user opinion, interests, and concerns. The library limits consideration of requests to reconsider materials, displays or programs to residents of Manchester. The Library neither approves nor disapproves of the views expressed in materials included in the collection.
Please see our Library Material Review and Reconsideration Policy and Form for further
information on this process.
This policy is housed on the Manchester Public Library Website
Copies are maintained in the Library's Business Office as well as at all public service desks at both library buildings.
This policy is in accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323.
Library Display Policy
Manchester Public Library
Purpose:
This policy provides guidelines for the development, management, and oversight of displays presented by the Library and is created in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in Section 46a-64 of the Connecticut General Statutes. A 'display' is the gathering and highlighting within the buildings of various library materials and topics. The Library, in keeping with its mission of promoting knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment, develops and presents displays that provide information, education, and entertainment. Displays are an integral component of library services which promote and complement the library’s other services and collections. Displays are provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all residents and should represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints, while providing access to content that is relevant to the research, independent interests, and education needs of residents.
Principles and Criteria:
The Library Board delegates development, presentation, and oversight of displays to the Library Director and staff. Professional librarians are trained to frequently develop, curate, schedule, and implement displays. Final responsibility for library displays is held by the Library Director. The Library strives to present displays that are educational, informational, cultural, or recreational and avoids those that do not meet these standards. Selection is based upon the suitability of topic, format, and intended audience. A display will not be excluded because its topic may be regarded by some as controversial. A Library display does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the content. On occasion, the public library will provide displays created by other governmental agencies but currently does not allow displays in the buildings created by any other outside individuals or groups. Displays of a purely commercial nature or those designed for the solicitation of business will not be offered by the library. Displays that support or oppose any political candidate or ballot measure will not be offered by the library. Displays that support or oppose a specific religion will not be offered. Library displays may address religious themes to educate or inform, but not to promote, observe, or proselytize a particular religious conviction. Programs are a resource for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas as well as to promote free expression and free access to ideas.
Intellectual Freedom and Requests to Remove (or include) Particular Displays:
The Library limits consideration of requests to reconsider displays to individual residents of Manchester. A “resident” means that a person is principally domiciled in this town. A library user who holds dual residency or who owns property in more than one town is considered a resident only in the town where they are principally domiciled. In all other towns, that person is a nonresident. Residents wishing to advocate for the removal of a display or creation of a particular display should please see our Request for Reconsideration Policy and form for further information on this process. No library display shall be removed because of the origin, background, or viewpoints expressed in such display or because of the origin, background, or viewpoints of the creator of such display. All library displays are evaluated and made accessible in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a-64 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Library adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom adopted by the American Library Association as expressed in its Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements.
This policy is housed on the Manchester Public Library website as well as in the Library Business Office and at public service desks at both library buildings. This policy is in accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323.
Library Programming Policy
Manchester Public Library
Purpose:
This policy provides guidelines for the development, management, and oversight of programs presented by the Library. The Library, in keeping with its mission of promoting knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment, develops and presents programs that provide information, learning, and entertainment. Programming is an integral component of library services which promotes and complements the library’s other services and collections. Programs are provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all residents and should represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints.
Key Definitions:
A Library program is a free event, planned by the library staff for the benefit of those members of the public who opt to attend. It may involve outside presenters, facilitators, or performers and may be presented in cooperation with other entities. Note: Use of a public meeting room by an organization or individual to hold a public event is not a Library program. Also, “resident” means that a person is principally domiciled in this town. A library user who holds dual residency or who owns property in more than one town is considered a resident only in the town where they are principally domiciled. In all other towns, that person is a nonresident.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The Library Board delegates the oversight of programs to the Library Director and staff. Professional librarians, especially including the Reference & Adult Services Manager and the Youth Services Manager, are fundamental in planning, scheduling, and implementation of programs. Final responsibility for library programs is held by the Library Director, but day-to-day responsibility for conducting a program is shared by employees throughout the library who are trained for these tasks. A process exists for a resident to request the cancellation of, or inclusion of, a program. Program attendees are responsible for complying with the Library's Behavior Policy.
Program Selection:
The Library strives to present programs that are educational, informational, cultural, and/or recreational and avoids programs that do not meet these standards. Selection is based upon the suitability of topic, format, and intended audience while providing access to content that is relevant to the research, independent interests, and education needs of residents. A program will not be excluded because its topic may be regarded by some as controversial. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the content or of the presenter of the program. The public library also provides programs created by or curated by librarians and other staff members of the library. Programs of a purely commercial nature or those designed for the solicitation of business will not be offered by the library. Programs that support or oppose any political candidate or ballot measure will not be approved or offered by the library. However, educational programs, such as candidate forums that include invitations to all recognized candidates, may be offered. Programs that support or oppose a specific religion will not be approved or offered. Programs are planned to be inclusive of all cultures and of all religions as well as no religion. Library programs may address religious themes to educate or inform, but not to promote, observe, or proselytize a particular religious conviction. Holiday programs may be offered for the entertainment of library patrons.
Program Development, Coordination and Supervision:
Programs typically originate from Library staff and may include partnering institutions or hired groups or individuals. All programs sponsored or co-sponsored by the library must abide by this Policy regardless of where they are hosted.
Program Access:
Library programs are free and open to the public on a first-come first-serve basis. Registration may be in advance - in person or online - or at the door. For programs targeted to a specific audience, e.g. children or teens, and promoted as such, preferential admission may be offered to those groups on a first-come, first-serve basis, limited to those specific-audience individuals as the Library deems appropriate. Any individual requiring accommodation to participate in a Library program should contact the Library two weeks prior to the program using the Accessibility Accommodation Request Form. Information collected during the registration process will be used only to communicate information about that program or to confirm eligibility to participate in that program.
Virtual Programs:
Presently, the Library does not offer Virtual Programs but if that should change, the guidelines listed in this policy regarding in-person programs will apply.
Program Materials:
Books or other ancillary materials related to the content of a program may be offered for sale at a Library program as a convenience to attendees.
Program Evaluation:
To provide the highest quality and most useful programming, library staff will gather information about program results to guide future programming decisions. Outputs, such as the number of attendees at a program, will be gathered. Outcomes, such as how well the content of a program helped attendees learn about the program’s topic, may be gathered at times when such data is required for grant reporting or would be helpful in evaluating a new program topic or format.
Intellectual Freedom and Requests to Remove (or include) Particular Programs:
The Library limits consideration of requests to reconsider programs to individual residents of Manchester. Please see our Request for Reconsideration Policy and Form for further information on this process. No library program shall be cancelled because of the origin, background, or viewpoints expressed in such program or because of the origin, background, or viewpoints of the creator of such program. All library programs are evaluated and made accessible in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a-64 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Programs are a resource for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas as well as to promote free expression and free access to ideas. The Library adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom adopted by the American Library Association as expressed in its Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements.
This policy is housed on the Manchester Public Library website as well as in the Library Business Office and at public service desks at both library buildings. This policy is in accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323.
Adopted November 10th, 2025
Manchester Public Library's Request for Reconsideration Form(DOCX, 16KB)
Reasonable Accommodation Request Form(DOCX, 15KB)