[Libs-Or] Tuesday Topic: Update on the removal of “The Handmaid's Tale” graphic novel in Medford

Tue May 17 11:42:12 PDT 2022

May 2022

Welcome to Tuesday Topics, a monthly series covering topics with
intellectual freedom implications for libraries of all types. Each message
is prepared by a member of OLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee or a guest
writer. Questions can be directed to the author of the topic or to the IFC
Committee.

Update on the removal of “The Handmaid's Tale” graphic novel in Medford

“The Handmaid’s Tale” is a dystopian novel where a government has robbed
women and other marginalized people of all autonomy.  In the novel, women
do not have the right to control their own bodies, they are unable to hold
jobs or own property, and they are forbidden to read.  It’s ironic, then,
that copies of “The Handmaid’s Tale” graphic novel would be removed from a
high school library to prevent students from reading it, which is what
happened at North Medford High School on April 8, 2022. The Oregon
Intellectual Freedom Committee (OIFC) is hoping to reverse the Medford
School District’s decision by handing out copies of the book to the Medford
community, encouraging media attention to focus a spotlight on the issue,
and submitting public records requests to get more information about the
district’s policies and processes.

Background information

The April 2022 removal of “The Handmaid’s Tale” graphic novel in Medford
has raised concerns across the state. After a parent complaint about “images
of nudity, sexual assault and suicide”, the district formed a committee and
then removed two English copies and one Spanish copy from the shelves at
North Medford High School. The original 1985 version of the book was
retained. The graphic novel has a starred review from School Library
Journal and is widely held in Oregon’s other high school libraries.

The complaining parent also asked that the district review the entire
graphic novel collection, and a district spokesperson said that the
district is “working with a team of stakeholders to review our graphic
novel selection and shelving procedures.” For this reason, the OIFC is
concerned about possible further book bans in the school libraries. This
particular title, however, is challenged so often that the Comic Book Legal
Defense Fund has a page dedicated to the book
<http://cbldf.org/2019/11/adding-the-handmaids-talegraphic-novel-to-your-library-of-classroom-collection/>
.

So far the Medford School District decision has received some media
attention, including an article in the Medford Mail Tribune
<https://www.mailtribune.com/okategoriserade/2022/04/21/graphic-novel-removed-from-north-medford-hs/>
that was picked up by Yahoo News and mentioned on the Book Riot website and
in School Library Journal. The Oregonian used it as an example in an
article about the long history of book banning
<https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2022/04/book-ban-attempts-remain-common-in-us-oregon-used-to-be-a-leader-in-book-challenges.html>
in Oregon. The Mail Tribune also published a second article about
bookstores and public libraries in the area and the spike in demand for the
book
<https://www.mailtribune.com/top-stories/2022/04/29/handmaids-tale-popping-up-on-local-bookshelves/>
.

OIFC actions so far

The OIFC and local volunteers in the Medford area recently sent out a call
for donations of copies of the book to distribute in the community. As of
mid-May, volunteers have received 45 books they will hand out to anyone who
wants to read it, after adding a sticker and an information sheet with
actions readers can take to combat censorship. We hope that the book drive
will raise awareness of the Medford School District’s decision to ban the
graphic novel. Anyone wishing to contribute additional books may send them
to: Ryan Bradley, 205 S. Central Ave, Medford, OR 97501.

Additionally, the OIFC is seeking information from the school district on
their process and policies. Among other things, we asked for the vote total
from the 4-person reconsideration committee and for details of the
committee’s discussion.In addition, the OIFC has been unable to obtain a
copy of the school district's reconsideration policy, as it appears that it
was recently removed from the OSBA website. When asked about the removal of
this policy, the Medford School District declined to respond to this
information request.We asked whether that policy was rescinded, and if so,
by whose authority, and when. Medford School District declined all of these
requests for information.

The OIFC also submitted a formal Public Records Request for emails and
other documents related to the removal of “The Handmaid’s Tale” graphic
novel and the missing reconsideration policy. The district said they could
do a search of their electronic records but estimated that it would take 18
hours and therefore would require a $1,898 fee for their time ($173 per
hour). We requested a fee waiver in the public interest, which was again
declined, this time by the district’s legal counsel.

The OIFC is currently discussing how to move forward, consulting with a
number of other organizations and experts to successfully receive the
information from our public records requests.

What you can do to help

   -

   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.
   -

   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
   -

   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 be read into the record. The next
   school board meeting is May 19, 2022.
   -

   Donate <https://ola.memberclicks.net/ifc-donation>to OLA IFC. Monies
   raised from these fund raising efforts will be used to support the
   Intellectual Freedom needs of Oregon Libraries.  These activities may
   include but are not limited to:
   -

      The payment of fees associated with formal public records requests,
      -

      Purchase of copies of challenged materials for community distribution,
      -

      Education and advocacy efforts above and beyond the scope of Oregon
      Library Association – IFC committee activities and scope,
      -

      Attorney fees as they related to challenge situations and/or policy
      reviews
      -

      Other financially bound processes as they relate to responding to
      challenge situations and Intellectual Freedom education

-- Miranda Doyle

intellectualfreedom at oasl.olaweb.org

OASL Intellectual Freedom Advocate

OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee Member

Below: Copies of “The Handmaid’s Tale” graphic novel donated to Medford so
far, for distribution to the community.

Photo by Ryan Bradley

Below: graphic is a sticker, with a “Handmaid’s Tale” reference -- “Read
banned books under his eye and everywhere else” - that will be added to the
donated books before distribution in the Medford community

Sticker design by Ryan Bradley
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