Books and other instructional material shall only be removed from the Library for legitimate educational reasons and subject to the limitations of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A committee of professional educators are in the best position to determine the appropriateness of the materials in the Library’s collection.
If a complaint is made by a current student or faculty member, the following procedures will be followed:
A. The complainant must file his/her objections in writing on the prepared questionnaire. The questionnaire is printed in the Library Handbook and a copy may be obtained in the Library. The completed questionnaire will be submitted to the Information Services Committee (“Committee”) as a formal complaint.
B. The questionable material will not be withdrawn until a final decision (including appeals) has been made on the complaint.
C. Within ten (10) business days after receiving the completed questionnaire, the Committee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complainant’s objection. The meeting will be a closed meeting with only the complainant and the Committee. After the meeting, the Committee will make a decision on the objection and provide written notification to the complainant within five (5) business days.
D. The complainant may appeal the Committee’s decision to the President in writing within five (business days) receipt of the written decision.
E. The President shall conduct an “on the record” review of all previously submitted documents. If necessary, the President may solicit more documentation from the complainant and/or Committee. The President shall make a decision within thirty (30) business days after receipt of the complainant’s appeal. The President’s decision shall be final.
Adopted: November 13, 2019
Legal References: U.S. Const. Amend. I; N.C. Const. Art. I, §14; Board of Educ. v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982)