[Libs-Or] “Handmaid’s Tale” graphic novel book drive

[Emily O'Neal]

“Handmaid’s Tale”  graphic novel book drive


Following Medford School District’s recent decision<https://www.mailtribune.com/okategoriserade/2022/04/21/graphic-novel-removed-from-north-medford-hs/> to remove the graphic novel version of “The Handmaid’s Tale”, the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Committee would like to encourage intellectual freedom advocates everywhere to contribute copies of the book to provide free access to the book. The goal is to ensure that every Medford resident interested in reading the book can easily obtain a copy, as well as to demonstrate to school officials that local families object to one parent taking away their opportunity to decide what is appropriate reading for their students.



This kind of book drive was a success in Katy, Texas, where the school district removed “The Hate U Give”<https://www.slj.com/story/hate-u-give-returns-h-s-shelves-katy-tx>, then later returned it to library shelves. Local volunteers will stock Little Free Libraries with the novel as well as hand them out to the Medford community. The public libraries will also have a chance to take as many as they need for their collections. We will add stickers to the books to explain why they are available!


To help:



1.      Send copies of “The Handmaid’s Tale” (graphic novel version)<https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/600455/the-handmaids-tale-graphic-novel-by-margaret-atwood/> to: Ryan Bradley, 205 S. Central Ave, Medford, OR 97501 for distribution in the community.

2.      If you live in the Medford area, volunteer to hand out and distribute books. Contact OASL Intellectual Freedom Advocate Miranda Doyle at intellectualfreedom at oasl.olaweb.org<mailto:intellectualfreedom at oasl.olaweb.org>.

3.    If you have students in Medford schools, tell the Medford School Board why returning the book to the High School Library collection will meet your needs. Public Comment can be made at Board Meetings or submitted in writing to msdschoolboard at medford.k12.or.us<mailto:msdschoolboard at medford.k12.or.us> be read into the record. The next school board meeting is May 19, 2022.


Thank you for your support of intellectual freedom and the Freedom to Read.
Oregon Intellectual Freedom Committee <https://www.olaweb.org/intellectual-freedom-committee-home>



Emily O’Neal (541) 617-7061  emilyo at deschuteslibrary.org<mailto:emilyo at deschuteslibrary.org>

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