Statement of Concern

BOARD APPROVED July 16, 2024 

The role of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) is to provide opportunities that will allow individuals to freely examine subjects and make their own decisions. 

The library supports each person’s right to receive information and to determine what is appropriate for them and their families. As a result, the library will not remove specific materials solely because they may be controversial at the time or objectionable to some. 

The HMCPL board and Executive Director are aware that customers may take issue with the inclusion of specific items, programs, or practices, and they welcome the expression of concern by patrons. Patron concerns will be dealt with promptly and courteously as detailed in the following process. 

Concerned patrons may complete and submit a “Statement of Concern about Library Resources” form https://hmcpl.org/concerns

The patron submitting the request must be a resident of Madison County and hold a valid borrower's card. 

Because of the extensive time involved in addressing a Statement of Concern, each patron may file no more than three (3) Statements of Concern in a calendar year. Please note if the title of concern is the only copy in the library catalog and is checked out at the time of the statement of concern, the timeline for review will be impacted until the item is available for review. During the review process the title of concern will remain available in the collection.

Digital materials may be provided through a content aggregator. As such, the inclusion or exclusion of specific titles in the collections are made by the vendor and the Library's ability to make changes for a digital title may be limited.

The following procedure will be followed when a Statement of Concern About Library Resources form is submitted: 

  • The Executive Director will appoint a committee comprised of library staff and/or library foundation board members to study the request and determine if the material meets the Library's selection criteria. The committee will prepare a written recommendation of its findings. 
  • The Executive Director will consider the committee's recommendation and will respond in writing to the person who submitted the request. 
  • In the event the person who initiated the statement of concern is not satisfied with the decision of the committee, he/she may request in writing within five (5) working days of receipt of the decision that the matter be forwarded to the Library Board for final review. 
  • The Executive Director will present the statement of concern to the Library Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Based on the information presented, the Library Board will make a final determination of the matter. 
  • The Executive Director will send a written response detailing the Board's decision to the person who submitted the request. 

If materials are challenged pursuant to this policy, no additional Statements of Concern will be considered for the same materials for a period of three (3) years.

Updated 7/16/2024