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Challenges to Library Resources

The 麻豆视频 Library endeavors to collect and share materials that support teaching, research and lifelong learning. While we welcome and serve the broader community and visiting researchers, our collections are curated primarily to support the curriculum and mission of 麻豆视频. All materials added to the collections are carefully evaluated before selection, and archival collections are accessioned in their entirety. Guided by the Collection Development Policy and the American Library Association鈥檚 , the library intentionally does not exclude or remove materials due to their background, origin, harmful content or the viewpoints of their creators or donors.

Despite the selection process, objections to materials are protected as intellectual freedom and free speech. However, the library鈥檚 formal reconsideration process is reserved for the primary stakeholders of 麻豆视频 Library collections:

  • Current Hope College students, faculty and staff may file a complaint regarding any part of the collection, displays or programs.
  • Current Western Theological Seminary (WTS) students, faculty, and staff may file a complaint regarding the seminary鈥檚 archival holdings managed by Archives and Special Collections.
  1. Complainants from these constituencies should first contact the Dean of Libraries. The dean shall involve partners at Western Theological Seminary and the Reformed Church in America (e.g. the Director of Cook Library, the RCA鈥檚 archivist, and the chairperson of the RCA鈥檚 Commission on History) in complaints about WTS archival materials as appropriate.
  2. The dean shall contact the complainant to discuss the complaint and attempt to resolve it informally by explaining the philosophy and goals of the library and the nature of the materials selection process.
  3. If the complaint is not resolved informally, the complainant shall be supplied with written information on the library鈥檚 instructional goals and objectives, on the materials selection policy and on the procedure for handling objections. This will include a form that must be completed and returned before further consideration will be given to the complaint.
  4. If the formal request for reconsideration has not been received by the dean within two weeks, it shall be considered closed. If the request is returned, the reasons for selection of the specific work shall be re-established by the appropriate library staff.
  5. Questioned materials shall remain on the shelves or on display pending a final decision.
  6. The dean, having received a completed challenge form, will bring the issue before the monthly meeting of the college librarians for their advice.
  7. The dean shall notify the complainant of the decision in writing.
  8. If the complainant believes the complaint has not been adequately addressed, they may ask the dean to present an appeal to the Library Committee, which shall make a final determination of the issue.

(Last revised May 2026.)