[Libs-Or] Connections: Your Link to the State Library of Oregon (November 2025)

Thu Nov 20 09:54:36 PST 2025

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Volume 35, Issue 5 - November 2025
In This Issue:

  *   Oregon Continues to Experience a High Volume of
Intellectual Freedom Challenges

  *   Now Streaming: Oregon State Agency Podcasts
  *   Meaningful Volunteer Work in Talking Books
  *   Note from the State Librarian
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Oregon Continues to Experience a High Volume of Intellectual Freedom Challenges

By Tamara Ottum, LSTA & Grants Coordinator, Library Support & Development Services
Every September, the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC) releases a report titled Challenges in Oregon Libraries and Educational Institutions.  This report explains the previous school year’s challenges to library and school materials, services, and programs across the state.
In 2024-25 year, 50 challenges were reported at public libraries, special libraries, and schools. That number ties with 2001 as the fifth highest since the State Library started keeping track in 1987. These challenges involved 68 individual items, the fourth highest total on record.
Oregon’s high number of challenges follows a larger trend across the country. The American Library Association (ALA) reported that 2024 had the third highest number of attempts to ban or restrict library materials since they started collecting data in 1990.
We saw a new trend in Oregon this year: 60% of the challenged items were hidden or vandalized instead of being challenged through official channels. This is a big jump from 40% in 2023-24.
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Three titles found defaced at a public library: Seeing Gender: An Illustrated Guide to Identity and Expression by Iris Gottlieb, Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth, and The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford.
Like past years, most challenges targeted materials about people from protected classes. Seventy six percent of the challenged items focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ people or Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.
“During these hard times, when libraries are facing threats to funding and library staff are facing threats to their livelihood, we will continue to support libraries, and their staff, to protect the freedom to read,” says State Librarian Wendy Cornelisen. The State Library works closely with the Oregon Library Association and the ALA to support this effort.
If you have any questions about the OIFC report, please contact Buzzy Nielsen, Program Manager for Library Support, at buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov>.

Now Streaming: Oregon State Agency Podcasts
By Natalie Brant, Reference Coordinator, Government Information and Library Services
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Did you know that many Oregon State Agencies produce or have produced their own podcasts?
Podcasts, like agency reports and newsletters for the public, are Oregon Documents held at the State Library. Along with other Oregon Documents, podcasts are added to our Digital Collections catalog so they remain accessible for years to come.
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) produces the GreenState Podcast. This podcast describes the ways that DEQ works to protect Oregon’s land, water and air, including the presence of Cyanotoxins in Oregon waterways (Ep. 13), the joy of Outdoor Schools (Ep. 23) and preventing food waste (Ep. 25).
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) creates the Grounded podcast where they discuss all the different ways energy is used and created in Oregon. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of the Hanford Nuclear Plant, check out episode 10! Energy efficient Arcimoto cars (Ep. 28) and the energy usage of Oregon’s commercial buildings (Ep. 48) are also covered.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) podcast is called The Beaver State Podcast. It examines hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing in Oregon.
Similarly, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission created “In the Weeds - The Ultimate OLCC Cannabis Podcast”.  Episodes include conversations about laws and rules impacting licensees operating in Oregon's legalized recreational marijuana market.
Finally, we want to draw attention to the Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) podcast, Inside ODOT. Episodes come out every few months and often interview employees at ODOT about their positions and careers. The most recent episode (Ep. 18) includes an interview with ODOT’s librarian, and this library highly recommends a listen.
Meaningful Volunteer Work in Talking Books

By Max Robinson. Administrative Specialist and Recording Studio Coordinator, Oregon Talking Book & Braille Library
“I take great pleasure in knowing I am able to help those who are print disabled enjoy reading as much as I do.” – Matt, studio volunteer
Talking Books wouldn’t be the same without its dedicated volunteers. Every day, volunteers check in returned books and send cartridges of new books to readers all over Oregon. Volunteers also help organize materials, clean and repair equipment, and call users for feedback.
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Circulation Volunteer packing cartridges to be mailed out

Five studio volunteers give their time and skills to the Oregon Stories and Voices program. They narrate books and other materials and review and edit audio.

In September, we held our first studio volunteer meetup, where everyone had the chance to meet in person. This gave volunteers, who usually work alone, a chance to connect. They shared tips, made connections, and answered questions like “If you could narrate any book, what would you read and why?”
Volunteers do more than just help with tasks. They also give staff helpful feedback to make our services better. When asked about spending her afternoon at the State Library, narration volunteer Theresa shared “I enjoy working with knowledgeable, patient staff, where I can learn and grow in personal adventure each week.”  Thank you, volunteers!
Note from the State Librarian:
Funding Update

To prepare for the 2026 Legislative Session, Oregon’s Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) has asked every executive branch agency to submit 5% and 2.5% reduction exercises for both General Fund and Other Fund Assessment dollars. These exercises help the Legislature and Governor’s Office understand the potential impacts of budget decisions and ensure Oregon is ready for a range of fiscal scenarios. These are not final decisions, but options for the Legislature to consider when they meet in February 2026.
Some of these reduction options, if chosen, would impact the Ready to Read grant funds provided by the State Library. We know how important these funds are to libraries and the Oregonians they serve. Ready to Read represents the largest portion of the State Library’s General Fund that does not affect personnel costs, and staffing remains a top priority. With the ongoing federal  and local funding challenges, we recognize this adds another layer of uncertainty in a difficult time.
Now that the federal government has reopened, the State Library’s federal partner, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is processing the State Library’s grant payment. This means December payroll is secure and donations are no longer needed. While work continues on the federal budget, the State Library continues to follow all IMLS rules and the Oregon Accounting Manual to manage funds responsibly. Challenges may arise, but we are prepared to work through them together. Thank you to OLA for our longstanding partnership and invaluable support. And thank you to all of the Oregon library community for your understanding, patience, and support as we navigate these uncertain times.
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Library Support & Development Services Manager
Buzzy Nielsen<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3486

Talking Book & Braille Library Supervisor
Jen Robinson<mailto:jen.robinson at slo.oregon.gov?subject=&body=>, 503-378-5391

Government Information & Library Services Manager
Elke Bruton<mailto:elke.bruton at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3509

Chief Operating Officer
Susan Westin<mailto:susan.westin at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-5435

State Librarian
Wendy Cornelisen<mailto:wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-4367

Mission
The State Library of Oregon cultivates, preserves, and delivers library and information services to foster lifelong learning and community engagement.

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