Pikes Peak Library District (“PPLD” or “Library”) ensures freedom of expression for all by providing free access to Library materials, resources, programs, displays, and exhibits through which ideas and information may be explored. The freedom to access, see, hear, and read all points of view without restriction is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As such, PPLD abides by and complies with the following standards under C.R.S. § 24-90-122(2) in the reconsideration of its resources and use of its facilities (collectively, the “Standards for Reconsideration”):
(a) A public library serves as a center for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas;
(b) The public has the right to access a range of social, political, aesthetic, moral, and other ideas and experiences through a public library;
(c) Each library resource is provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of the community and should present diverse points of view in the collection as a whole;
(d) A public library shall not exclude a library resource because of the ethnic origin, ethnic background, or gender identity of those contributing to the creation of the library resource or because of the topic addressed by the library resource or the opinions expressed in the library resource;
(e) A public library shall not proscribe or prohibit the circulation or procurement of a library resource because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval of the library resource;
(f) It is the responsibility of a public library to challenge censorship in the fulfillment of its responsibility to provide information and enlightenment;
(g) A public library shall consider the perspectives of marginalized groups, including those identified in C.R.S. § 22-1-104(1)(a);
(h) For a public library that provides facilities to the public, the library shall make the facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use; and
(i) A public library shall prohibit discrimination based on age, background, political or religious views, origin, disability, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, or ancestry in the selection, retention, display, use or reconsideration of library resources and public meeting spaces.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-90-122, PPLD provides a process where Library District residents may express concerns about Library resources or about the use of the Library facilities. The Reconsideration of Library Resources or Use of Library Facilities Policy process is intended to provide a forum for important feedback about the services and resources the Library provides.
Process for Reconsideration of Library Resources or Use of Library Facilities
- A patron residing in the legal service area of the Library can register a concern or complaint regarding a particular resource in the Library or use of Library facilities (e.g. displays, exhibits, or programs). The Library staff will enter a complaint at any service desk by completing the “Resource or Use Concern Form” (“Concern Form”). The Concern Form is then given to the branch manager (“Manager”), and the Manager will contact the patron via the patron’s preferred method to discuss concerns within ten (10) days upon receipt of the Concern Form.
- After the Manager and patron discuss the concerns (in-person or via video conference, phone or email), the patron will decide whether to formalize the request by completing the “Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources or Use of Library Facilities Form” (“Reconsideration Request”) provided by the Manager. If the patron elects not to complete the Reconsideration Request or does not return the Reconsideration Request to the Manager, then the request is deemed to be abandoned. Please note that a completed Reconsideration Request is subject to disclosure under the Colorado Open Records Act and is not protected as a library user record.
- If the Reconsideration Request is completed and returned to the Manager, the Manager shall send the completed Reconsideration Request to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
- Within a reasonable period of time, the CEO shall assign a review committee to review the resource or use in question.
- The review committee members shall complete their independent review of the resource or use and present a summary of their findings to the CEO for determination (collectively, the “Reconsideration Process”).
- The CEO will prepare and present the determination as part of the CEO Reports to the Board of Trustees at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
- After the Board meeting, the CEO shall notify the patron who requested the reconsideration of the determination, and the determination shall be posted on the ppld.org website for public information and notification.
- The patron who requested the reconsideration shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of the determination to file an appeal with the Board of Trustees (boardoftrustees@ppld.org). The appeal must state the grounds of the appeal and identify the specific Standard(s) for Reconsideration that was/were violated by the CEO’s determination. If the appeal fails to identify a specific violation under C.R.S. § 24-90-122(2), then the Board of Trustees shall notify the patron to resubmit the appeal. If the patron elects not to revise the appeal or does not return the revised appeal within the 30-day period, then the appeal is deemed to be abandoned.
- If the appeal sufficiently identifies a violation and is returned to the Board of Trustees within thirty (30) days after receipt of the determination, the Board of Trustees shall review the appeal, the committee materials and the CEO’s determination to establish whether the determination comports with the Standards for Reconsideration (“Appeal Results”). The Board of Trustees shall notify the patron who requested the appeal of the Appeal Results, and the Appeal Results shall be posted on the ppld.org website for public information and notification.
- Depending on the CEO’s determination and/or Appeal Results, the Library resource or use may remain/continue or alternatively, it may be removed, discontinued or reclassified.
Limitations to the Reconsideration Process
- PPLD and its staff do not act in loco parentis (i.e., in place or role of parents or guardian); instead, parents and guardians are responsible for the Library resources or displays, exhibits, or programs (collectively, “programs”) accessed by their children. Therefore, the review committee’s decisions during the Reconsideration Process shall not be influenced by the possibility that certain resources or programs may be accessible to minors.
- PPLD has facilities – namely, event spaces, meeting rooms, and study rooms – available to the public. Non-library sponsored events (i.e., events that are not planned, sponsored or executed by the Library) shall not be reviewed under the Reconsideration Process.
- Library resources or programs will only be reconsidered once every two years. If a specific Library resource or program has been considered within the last two years, the CEO will notify the patron of the result of the recent determination and deny any further reconsideration.
- Library resources or programs under reconsideration shall not be removed, discontinued or reclassified until the determination and/or Appeal Results for such removal, discontinuation or reclassification has been made available to the public.
Adopted by Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees on April 16, 2025.