Books/Materials Challenge Terminology

Expression of Concern -- An inquiry that has judgmental overtones.

Oral Complaint -- An oral challenge to the presence and/or
appropriateness of the material in question

Written Complaint -- A formal, written complaint filed with the
institution (library, school, etc.) challenging the presence and/or
appropriateness of specific material.

Public Attack -- A publicly disseminated statement challenging the
value of the material, presented to the media and/or others outside
the institutional organization in order to gain public support for
further action.

Censorship -- The change in the access status of material, made by a
governing authority or its representatives. Such changes include:
exclusion, restriction, removal, or age/grade level changes.

Adopted by the Intellectual Freedom Committee at the 1986 American
Library Association Annual Conference

[Made available by permission of the American Library Association.]