Whitefish Library Policies

2031. Censorship



The Whitefish Community Library does not censor materials.

WCL strongly supports the guidelines of the American Library Association in its Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Freedom to View Statement. We consider all materials selected under this policy to be constitutionally protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The responsibility for materials children and adolescents select rests with parents or legal guardians.

WCL considers viewing material as a purely individual matter and strives to offer diverse materials. Patrons are free to reject materials. However, no individual or group has the right to restrict the freedom of others to read, view, or listen to materials accessible through the Library.

Patrons wishing to request that an item be removed or relocated will be asked to complete a Request for Reconsideration form.

When a completed form is submitted to the Library Director, the following procedure will be followed:

I. The Library Director shall present the completed form to the Board of Trustees at least 10 days in advance of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, along with any pertinent information regarding the item(s) in question.

II. The challenged item(s) shall remain available to the public until an official decision is determined.

III. The Request shall be considered at the Board of Trustees’ next regularly scheduled meeting.

IV. The Board shall prepare an official written decision to be presented to the patron by the Library Director.

Approved by the Whitefish Community Library Board of Trustees on 1/12/2022 Sarah Ericson, Chair

Amended by the Whitefish Library Board of Trustees on 4/12/2023 Sarah Ericson, Chair