Library Complaint and Censorship Records (Stow Randall Library)

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M. G. L. Chapter 66, Section 10) for a copy of the following records:

Copies of written and electronic complaints and challenges for removal, reclassification, or other reconsideration of publications including books, magazines, movies, websites (e.g. filtered from library computers), or other media from January 1, 2010, to present, as well as records, petitions, and correspondence related to these challenges.

We seek such records as, for example, are classified by the Massachusetts’ Supervisor of Public Records Municipal Records Retention Manual under Section 17.004: Complaint and Censorship Records, though we do not limit our request to those so classified.

According to 950 CMR 32.06(5), every custodian of records is encouraged to waive fees where disclosure would benefit the public interest, as we believe these will. This request is part of a research project by the Center for Civic Media to better understand how and why library materials are challenged in the State of Massachusetts. We are committed to open access and plan to make our findings broadly available to the public. If fees cannot be waived please inform me in advance.

We ask that, if possible, you please respond via email with text documents or clear, high-quality scanned PDFs. If you cannot reply electronically, please mail us the best quality copies you reasonably can. Your efforts helps us ensure broad accessibility and equity.

The statute requires your response to this request within 10 business days. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us better understand this important aspect of the work that you do. Please feel free to email me directly if you have any further questions.

Best,

- Chris Peterson
Research Assistant
Center for Civic Media
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 12, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 12, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 12, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 12, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 12, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 12, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

Dear MuckRock (Chris Peterson- Research Assitant),

I has come to my attention that you have requested from the Randall Library staff records of complaints and challenges for the removal of materials from our collection by patrons since 2010. We have had no such requests or complaints.

We also have a Collection Development policy that states:

" The Board of Library Trustees and the Randall Library Director are committed to a censorship free environment within the Library's collection development. Therefore, if a material meets the criteria of selection, it will not be restricted or removed from the collection due to pressure by any individual or group."

As part of the Collection Development Policy Introduction the "criteria of selection" is defined as:

"The Randall Library of Stow's selection of books and other materials is intended to satisfy the informational, intellectual, cultural and literary needs of the Stow community. The staff of the Randall Library has an historic commitment to enhance and enrich all patrons' life-long reading, learning and educational development. The Library collects material in many formats and the scope of the collection is inclusive and strives to present differing points of view. The collection is available to all Massachusetts residents and is not marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of content. The Library Director and Board of Trustees asserts their right and duty to keep on the shelves books on all subjects of interests to readers that are not prohibited by state and federal laws"

--
Melissa Fournier
Randall Library Director
19 Crescent St.
Stow, MA 01775