[OYAN] IFC Tuesday Topics: Banned Books Recap

Tue Nov 25 12:13:01 PST 2025

Please pardon the cross-posting. Hi, folks. I'm forwarding this on behalf of the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC). To keep the file size down, I removed the images. Please see the PDF version<https://www.olaweb.org/assets/IntellectualFreedom/IF_Resources/OLA_IFC_Tue_Topic_2025-11_Banned_Books_Week_Show_Tell.pdf> of the Banned Books Week<https://bannedbooksweek.org/> recap on the IFC's Intellectual Freedom Resources webpage<https://www.olaweb.org/if-resources>. Creative ideas! - Best, Jen (Jen Maurer, School Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon, jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov>)

From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Intellectual Freedom Committee via Libs-Or
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 11:46 AM
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: [Libs-Or] IFC Tuesday Topics: Banned Books Recap

Hi all,

For November Tuesday Topics, provided to you by the Intellectual Freedom Committee, we share with you the following Banned Books Week Recap:

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NOVEMBER 2025

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.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2025 "SHOW-AND-TELL"

Every year, libraries across the country and Oregon celebrate Banned Books Week.  In these celebrations, we put forth time, energy and effort to celebrate the freedom to read.  We put forth weeks, sometimes months in preparation and marketing to make these events a success.  For this month's Tuesday Topics, we want to honor and celebrate these efforts and take a moment to say "thank you" for supporting intellectual freedom across the state.  Below are just a handful of the highlights from the week.

>From the IFC, THANK YOU for celebrating!

[See images in the PDF version of the Banned Books Week recap<https://www.olaweb.org/assets/IntellectualFreedom/IF_Resources/OLA_IFC_Tue_Topic_2025-11_Banned_Books_Week_Show_Tell.pdf>.]

Linfield University's Nicholson Library staff created displays and scattered stickers and bookmarks promoting BBW throughout the library. Their promotion of BBW even made the Linfield Review<https://thelinfieldreview.com/35233/news/banned-books-week-censorship-is-so-1984/>!
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Umatilla Public Library created some amazing displays! Arianna Strong in Teen Services said the displays "definitely sparked conversation with people who didn't know about BBW!"
https://www.facebook.com/umatillapubliclibrary/posts/pfbid02YCi8h88DcPfdjLYrRae68niSMMpcngss1F97ZvNV7TWxB3NDjcqAPSY9t5imnZLVl

Newport Public Library celebrated BBW with artistic flair, which included a ribbon cutting ceremony for a related mural on stairs. They also had a raffle to win a set of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024!
Here's a video of the mural! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19jQ69YaCY/
https://www.facebook.com/newportlibrary/posts/pfbid027afo16n5d2rBNk6BoE3cBht4W8djmwNaxMprfnKnScisYysUMfURHvS3es9kXakZl
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McMinnville Public Library staff celebrated the freedom to read, and the library had a BBW contest to win a free copy of 1984!
https://www.facebook.com/mcmlibrary/posts/pfbid02tFuRmZcGUkcACfsiNpXQodDZKmzRWkAPXePvee16oGMy7ehVXvjgbngXia
https://www.facebook.com/mcmlibrary/posts/pfbid0F6kUvh6Eb3emJot75VA18g7ddkUnVrYcvQbjJ75WASAq2tWxgjNUQ3HhQVj4UDsDl
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Ione Library District got in on the action by offering to help patrons find banned books!
https://www.facebook.com/ionepubliclibrary/posts/pfbid02FPrmN9DBYUbvzG13paLyq7tRpC1fU7FTUQU51fHStHBJ3HVqRJ5UFRNjRvja5Abl
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Scappoose Public Library created an awesome display for Banned Books Week to raise awareness about censorship and to celebrate the freedom to read! Their Facebook post got a lot of positive comments!
https://www.facebook.com/scappooselib/posts/pfbid02qz64iweHwJnWfbVj6PYMfk8oKPKUtJMajJGVMy41ycckFGYJmzt9mR7iNbf2fQNCl
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Sherwood Public Library got creative with BBW puzzles!
https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodpubliclibrary/posts/pfbid02G6XP1KvZ9BuCxKFT22pnBLuD4ZnWgYzc17F5pKdZWQ9JY2ytSV9yMHuzYF7u9f3Pl
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OSU's Valley Library made a fun video to amplify the right to read!
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BSx8PReAJ/
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Baker County Library was in the news about their Banned Books Week plans, which include giving away copies of 1984! The library's Let Freedom Read celebration was featured in the Baker City Herald<https://bakercityherald.com/2025/09/22/baker-county-library-gives-away-copies-of-orwells-1984-as-part-of-anti-censorship-campaign/> and the book giveaway was shared by Elkhorn Media Group<https://elkhornmediagroup.com/let-freedom-read-baker-county-library-to-give-away-copies-of-1984/>!
"The library will have a public discussion Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. to discuss what inspired Orwell, an English author, to write the dystopian novel about a totalitarian state. ... The Oct. 9 public event is part of the library's Let Freedom Read celebration Oct. 5-11, aligning with a national campaign opposing censorship and book bans. The 2025 theme reflects Orwell's novel - Censorship Is So 1984: Read For Your Rights."
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Deschutes Public Library made an awesome "Read What You Want" video and spotlighted the issue of censorship during Banned Books Week. They even made the local TV news<https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/local/banned-books-week-deschutes-public-library/article_ab7361d4-f7de-4cbc-ba7d-3f322ab90035.html>!
 Video -  https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17YHvUPH1h/
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Gilliam County Public Library created a fabulous BBW display!
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0u46zmvbheagwDutiYDqbugx6ddppB9SY88ywizrvrsWTgQCgeXi5BBsePuse4BrEl&id=100064845781940
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Rainier City Library created a display to remind everyone that "Censorship closes minds. Reading opens them!"
https://www.facebook.com/RainierCityLibraryOregon/posts/pfbid02BJ3MTwBrqVuT3r7V1VVRNDfVwBSfj1b5jGJGheq3mNQwmHRtKozikmJqcr2Ufrx3l
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Cornelius Public Library highlighted the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024!
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=796993406419478&set=a.162503349868490
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Harney County Library reminded everyone it was officially Banned Books Week!
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EsLWr9XLA/

Aloha Community Library wished everyone "joyous and unrestricted" reading!
https://www.facebook.com/AlohaLibrary/posts/pfbid0BSfmJhS1vwqS57i5B9VHtQ24rJPmUUyRB6rYmZ8N4rzb6PCQ4s95KKcC2LQXMSy3l
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Klamath County Library celebrated the Freedom to Read, and they got a little help from their amazing Friends of the Library group!

https://www.facebook.com/KlamathCountyLibrary/posts/pfbid0LceEGLEc3tSoEBgHCdrootEKhEBsKJGuypcazmPXi7UzAygQimNWN7ihdEjHwNGUl
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14M6q6X7njX/
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Springfield Public Library reminded us all to "practice our Right to Read."
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14M6q6X7njX/
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Corvallis-Benton County Public Library amplified the message that "the right to read belongs to all of us!"
https://www.facebook.com/cbcpl/posts/pfbid0UFojoZ6mBPcMHqdVZop3qLB3aCfwyShgueCHBszgpeMCV1rwovd8FstQLiFTMhTvl
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Creswell Library wanted to know about your favorite banned books!
https://www.facebook.com/Creswell.Library/posts/pfbid034VzreuJ2Lj1cYapXLWNLELjDMZEEGEgFyBfy5HJqsr7hFSCEkraQxa2kjHgxPeRxl
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Lake Oswego Public Library had a "Dear Banned Author" event!
https://www.facebook.com/lakeoswegopubliclibrary/posts/pfbid02NfZhhj9dydxyEhhko7QWBBnKBriRefCr8NjRxfrArLX37VWSUgN2ARsXQWMMjNZJl
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Clackamas Community College took a stand to protect access to banned books and made The Clackamas Print<https://www.theclackamasprint.net/featured/no-book-left-behind-cccs-stand-against-banned-books/>!

--
Chair - ifc.chair at olaweb.org<mailto:ifc.chair at olaweb.org>
Intellectual Freedom Committee https://www.olaweb.org/if-home
Oregon Library Association https://www.olaweb.org/

Disclaimer: all information provided by the IFC is intended for informational purposes only.  This is not to be considered legal advice. Should you need legal advice, we recommend contacting a practicing attorney in your jurisdiction.

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