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Freedom to Read

OWWL Library System and the Freedom to Read

Librarianship holds the longstanding belief that libraries curate collections for their communities and allow each person and family to decide what materials are right for them. The OWWL Library System supports this belief and does not participate in censoring materials based on individual opinions.

For more information, please review the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement and the System’s Resolution on the Freedom to Read.

Book Challenge Review Committee

The OWWL Library System’s Book Challenge Review Committee reads, researches, and reviews titles that have been challenged locally and nationwide. The goal is to produce review documents to support local libraries in selection and reconsideration decisions. The reviews are based on the age-appropriateness and factual accuracy of the work. The committee comprises System staff, Library Directors, and Trustees.

Books Reviewed

System Collections

OWWL Library System purchases titles for local System collections and the OverDrive collection available through https://owwl.overdrive.com. Should an individual resident of Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, or Livingston County wish to request the reconsideration of a specific title based on age appropriateness or factual accuracy, they may complete the Reconsideration of System Materials Form found in the Selection and Reconsideration of Materials Policy.

A Note Regarding Collection Development:

  • The System does not hold the authority to oversee collection development policies, practices, or decisions at Member Libraries. A reconsideration of materials request for an item in a Member Library collection must follow that individual library’s local rules or policies.
  • The System does not hold the authority to oversee collection development policies, decisions, or filtering practices at School Libraries participating in the Public Library Connect service through OverDrive. This partnership allows students to access the System’s OverDrive collection through their already-established SORA account.
  • The System does not hold the authority to oversee collection development policies, practices, or decisions of partner Library Systems connected to OWWL Library System’s OverDrive collection.

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