Purpose
Halifax Public Libraries (the “Library”) recognizes the importance of a process where community members can voice opinion and ask for changes of Library decisions. The policy outlines the process to request management review decisions pertaining to programs, room bookings, artwork, exhibits, displays, and items in the collection to ensure they align with Library policy.
Background
The Library contains materials and offers programs that represent a wide range of thoughts, ideas, information, and expressions from a diverse range of perspectives, including those which may be regarded as unpopular, controversial, or offensive. The Library strives to reflect current topics and community interest. The presence of materials in the collection does not indicate the Library’s endorsement of the content or viewpoints. Similarly, events, displays and programs being offered at the Library does not indicate endorsement of content or viewpoints.
The use of the Library and library materials is an individual choice. While a person may reject materials, programs or displays for oneself, they may not restrict access for other people.
Scope
The Request for Review Policy covers programs, room bookings, artwork, exhibits, displays, and items in the collection. The Collection Development Policy, Library Programming Policy, Library Display Policy, and Library Room Booking Policy set the Library’s strong commitment to public access to Library materials, programs, and other services. The request for review process will ensure these and other policies were followed in the delivery of these services.
The Library does not take into consideration the perceived value or lack of value of any particular material or program, nor the political, social, religious, or activist position of the person or organization submitting the request.
Process
- Community members who are concerned about a particular program, room booking, artwork, exhibit, display, or item in the collection program, should first raise the concern with the local branch staff.
- If, after discussion with the responsible manager, a community member is still concerned about the program, room booking, artwork, exhibit, display or item in the collection, they may formally initiate a written request using the Request for Review Form.
- The Request for Review form must be completed and submitted by a resident of the Halifax Regional Municipality.
- If the program/room booking/artwork/exhibit/display/item has previously been subject to a Request for Review within the last three years, the request will not be considered.
- Upon receiving a completed Request for Review Form, the CEO and Chief Librarian or delegate will initiate a Review Request Committee that includes the leaders who oversee the services under review. This committee will review the program/room booking/artwork/exhibit/display/item in its entirety, alongside the Request for Review Form and any applicable Library policies. Other inquiries and fact-finding, including a legal review, will be conducted as appropriate. The committee will submit a recommendation to the CEO and Chief Librarian.
- The CEO and Chief Librarian will make a final decision based on the recommendation and they or their delegate will provide a response to the requester.
- The Library will generally provide a response within 21 business days from receipt of a written request, but may require additional time. If additional time is needed, the Librarywill notify the community member.
- If a community member believes that the CEO and Chief Librarian has not handled their Request for Review in a fashion that aligns with this policy, they may escalate the Request for Review to the Halifax Regional Library Board (the “Board”) within 10 days of receiving the decision.
- The Board may request a verbal or written report presented from staff involved in the review process and will evaluate if the Library handled the Request for Review according to the Library’s Request for Review policy. The Board will not engage with, nor make recommendations or decisions on library programs, room bookings, artwork, exhibits, displays, or items in the collection. The Board will determine if the appropriate review process was followed and respond to the community member.
During the review process, programs and room bookings will not be cancelled, and displays, artwork, exhibits and items in the collection will not be removed.