The DVC Library upholds the principles of intellectual freedom, including inclusive and balanced collections, opposition to content filtering and censorship, and open access to print and digital resources. While recognizing the rights of individuals and groups to disagree with points of view expressed in library materials, the library will resist efforts to limit access to information. To keep the collection relevant, inclusive, and in good condition, librarians regularly review and remove materials that are outdated, unused, or no longer aligned with the college’s curriculum, student interest, or institutional priorities.
Students and employees of DVC can share concerns, suggestions, or complaints about the collection by bringing them to the attention of the Library Department Chair. Continued dispute regarding a specific item or items in the collection will be handled through the following process:
1. Submission of Statement of Concern
- A written Statement of Concern must be submitted to the Library Department Chair.
- The statement must include:
- Petitioner’s name
- Petitioner’s telephone number
- Petitioner’s Insite email address
- Title of contested resource
- Author of contested resource
- Clear comments on the content of the resource, addressing both the work as a whole and the specific issues of concern
- Explanation of what outcome would resolve the concern
2. Acknowledgment of Receipt
- The Library Department Chair (or designee) will send a written acknowledgment to the petitioner.
3. Review Process
- The Library Department Chair will convene a review committee with the Dean of Library and Learning Resources, the Collection Development Librarian, and the subject selector.
- In accordance with established library and college policies and procedures, the review will include:
- Examination of the resource in question
- Consideration of the resource’s role in the collection and relevance to the library’s mission
- Consultation with faculty or subject specialists, if appropriate
- Review of professional standards (e.g. The American Library Association’s Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights)
4. Determination
- Options may include:
- Retaining the resource without change
- Reclassifying the resource
- Removing the resource from the collection
5. Notification of Decision
- The petitioner will receive a written response of the final decision within 90 days of the library’s receipt of the request.
- The decision will be considered final and not subject to further appeal.
All objections are reported to the American Library Association.
