Hartford Public Library’s Review and Reconsideration Policy
The Hartford Public Library (“Library”) welcomes expressions of opinion concerning materials, programs, exhibitions and displays. A Hartford, CT 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 Hartford 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 the display and program policy.
• The materials review and reconsideration process for library cardholders and residents to challenge any library material, exhibit, display or program shall neither favor nor disfavor any group based on protected characteristics.
• The individual completing a reconsideration form must include specific information about which portion or portions of such material, exhibit, display or program 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.
•Reconsideration requests are not confidential patron records under section 11-25 of the 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 President and CEO.
Review Process:
There may be occasions when a customer is concerned about a particular presentation, program, event, material, or display at or offered by the Library. In such cases, customers are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a staff member. If a customer wishes the Library to formally reconsider the inclusion, placement, or age-appropriateness of any particular offering or item, a Request for Reconsideration form may be submitted.
While any customer is free to complete the form to share comments or concerns about programs, events, displays or materials in the Library, only current Hartford Public Library card holders and residents may request a formal review, and they must complete and sign the Reconsideration Form. The Library will not complete a formal review for customers who are not Hartford residents, do not hold an HPL card or fully complete the form.
The President and CEO will task an ad-hoc Review Committee led by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of no less than five HPL staff members to review the customer concern, including reading the challenged material in its entirety and/or evaluating the challenged program, exhibit, display or program against the appropriate institutional policies, and report back to the President and CEO. A written response to the customer will be sent from the President and CEO within 60 days. During the review process, the content will remain available and no action will be taken until the review process has been completed. Content that has already been reconsidered is not subject to review again until three calendar years have passed. A summary report of reported concerns will be presented to the Board no less than annually.
The final authority regarding the removal or retention of library materials ultimately resides with the Library Board of Directors. Any appeal of the decision of the Library President and CEO should be directed to the Library Board of Directors.
The Library Board shall:
• (A) consult with (i) the President and CEO, (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, and
• (D) provide any final decision that is contrary to the decision of the Library President and CEO
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.
Approved by the Hartford Public Library Board of Directors: October 9, 2025
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Phone: (860) 695-6300
