<div dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-ac0c2f4a-7fff-4699-bdcc-6ebf1e88cb33"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">October 2021 Tuesday Topic</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Beyond Banned Books Week: Preparing for Challenges to Library Services</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="border:medium none;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;width:392px;height:156px"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LlBPbYRDw-yQW92iSyeERDwhcEvnE3_OacsdeAMJ3J57LdcraY_NT9_0yYtLKRthafcl9aM4aim0CQEmCd_3m-qSaJu-nDIdtih5g-yo41l_wrwwk_KSy2UUmXc4abSEHsKn_oHE=s1600" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="392" height="156"></span></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Beyond Banned Books Week: Preparing for Challenges to Library Services</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Libraries across the country just finished recognizing Banned Books Week at the end of September. It is a great time to highlight issues of censorship in public spaces, and to educate ourselves, our colleagues, and our communities about the value of free access to ideas and information.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Thanks to ongoing advocacy efforts like Banned Books Week, most librarians are now familiar with the American Library Association’s (ALA) lists of </span><a href="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">frequently challenged books</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">, and when it comes to policies and procedures regarding requests to remove library materials, </span><a href="https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=27097" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">resources</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> are increasingly </span><a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">easy to find</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">But when Banned Books Week ends, it is clear that conversations about censorship in libraries must continue, given the rise of another troubling trend—a rise in challenges against library events and programs, including story times, displays, and author visits.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse reported 17 challenges to library materials, and 6 challenges to library services during the </span><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=62746663" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2020-2021 service year</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">. In an interesting swap, challenges to library materials actually declined slightly between the 2020 and 2021 reports—while challenges to library services increased threefold.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Reports of challenges to library services and materials, 2017-2021</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Data provided by the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse</span></p><div dir="ltr" style="margin-left:0pt" align="left"><table style="border:medium none;border-collapse:collapse;table-layout:fixed;width:468pt"><colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:0pt"><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(176,179,178);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Year</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(176,179,178);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=42506339" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2017</span></a></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(176,179,178);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=43653214" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2018</span></a></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(176,179,178);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=50042665" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2019</span></a></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(176,179,178);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=56483445" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2020</span></a></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(176,179,178);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=62746663" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2021</span></a></p></td></tr><tr style="height:0pt"><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(212,212,212);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Library Service Challenges</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Not reported</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">1</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">6</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">6</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:0pt"><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(212,212,212);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Materials Challenges</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">20</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">22</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">43</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">19</span></p></td><td style="border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-style:solid;border-width:0.75pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:rgb(242,242,242);padding:3pt;overflow:hidden"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">17</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Of the six reported challenges to library services in 2021, one library reported challenges in regard to the materials and content surrounding an upcoming author visit:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">One library, in partnership with other area libraries, invited YA authors Jason Reynolds and Jenny Torres Sanchez to speak. In advance of their visit, the library bought copies of these author's books to give to interested students or teachers. The library received an anonymous phone message from a man who identified himself only as "a local educator,” upset that the library was “promoting harmful ideas: (1) that racism actually exists in America” and “(2) that Americans should be sympathetic toward immigrants coming from south of the border when our country is already overrun with immigrants.” Library staff discussed with school district staff involved in the program, and the program continued.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Of the other five challenges to library services in the 2021 report, two challenges centered around objections to LGBTQ+ themes in library story times, and one library reported two challenges to a teen Dungeons and Dragons program, citing “significant spiritual implications from the satanic realm.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">What do I do if someone challenges an author visit, or any other service at my library?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Just as librarians have been trained to frequently review and update their collection development policies with materials challenges in mind, it is now recommended that libraries have clear policies in place surrounding the selection and development of library-sponsored programs, events, and displays.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">If you are preparing to draft a policy of your own, the American Library Association has released </span><a href="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">multiple interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> as they pertain to different aspects of library materials and services—including an interpretation when considering </span><a href="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/programsdisplays" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Library-Initiated Programs and Displays as a Resource</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">. As it pertains to controversial speakers and topics, the guidance in the document is clear, and follows the same rigorous principles libraries already apply to the reconsideration of library materials:</span></p><ol style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Concerns, questions, or complaints about library-initiated programs and displays are handled according to the same written policy and procedures that govern reconsiderations of other library sources.”</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Programs should not be canceled because of the ideas or topics of the program or the views expressed by participants or speakers, nor should library workers censor or remove displays because someone may disagree with content.”</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In direct response to a rise in challenges to library programs and library-sponsored guest speakers, the ALA also released a </span><a href="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/controversialprogramsQA" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">detailed Q&A document in 2018</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">. In it, the ALA advises librarians to consider the chilling impacts of canceling events or disinviting speakers in direct response to complaints or controversy, warning that</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Canceling a speaker, program, or event because of real or anticipated controversy could negatively impact the reputation of the library and its ability to serve the community as a forum for the exchange of ideas.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">If you are worried about challenges to future programs, or facing a challenge of your own, it is important to remember to reach out for professional support. The OLA’s intellectual freedom committee offers professional support and guidance, and can be reached by emailing co-chairs Perry Stokes and Emily O’Neal at </span><a href="mailto:ifc.chair@olaweb.org" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ifc.chair@olaweb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> or by emailing all committee members at </span><a href="mailto:ifc.members@olaweb.org" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ifc.members@olaweb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Finally, if we want to continue to accurately track these trends, it is important that, in addition to materials, library staff members also report challenges to library services, programming, and events when they occur. The State Library of Oregon’s Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse </span><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/oifc/report" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">maintains a form for reporting </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">all</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> types of challenges</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> at schools and libraries. Reports can be made anonymously, and interested library workers can use the reporting form to seek support and guidance from the State Library and </span><a href="https://www.olaweb.org/if-home" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">OLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">, as well as connect with peers who have navigated similar experiences across the state.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Katlyn Temple</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee Member</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Assistant Director, Chetco Community Public Library</span></p><br></div>