<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><span id="m_7999279055807708770gmail-docs-internal-guid-1aa996e4-7fff-aeab-030a-21ec24504f21"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:center;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">May 2022</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;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:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(5,99,193);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="border:none;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;width:392px;height:156px"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3gQkkf9kDwPkEWy3XSdW1d78H8NsWoVq29DbUDyt-OR16vbdHagm32HvUqJGtz76VyUOHwlDjE6kH-QJPcPWAkv2ucGfpxzWn4wwO175NG6ZwndvLs5Z9jikafcSqQrOq7-PwQh7k8kwvXZEkQ" width="392" height="156" style="margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px"></span></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Update on the removal of “The Handmaid's Tale” graphic novel in Medford</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“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.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Background information</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-indent:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The April 2022 removal of “The Handmaid’s Tale” graphic novel in Medford has raised concerns across the state. After a parent complaint about </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“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.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-indent:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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 </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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 </span><a href="http://cbldf.org/2019/11/adding-the-handmaids-talegraphic-novel-to-your-library-of-classroom-collection/" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">page dedicated to the book</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-indent:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">So far the Medford School District decision has received some media attention, including an article in the </span><a href="https://www.mailtribune.com/okategoriserade/2022/04/21/graphic-novel-removed-from-north-medford-hs/" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Medford Mail Tribune</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> 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 </span><a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2022/04/book-ban-attempts-remain-common-in-us-oregon-used-to-be-a-leader-in-book-challenges.html" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">long history of book banning</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> in Oregon. The Mail Tribune also published a second article about bookstores and public libraries in the area and the </span><a href="https://www.mailtribune.com/top-stories/2022/04/29/handmaids-tale-popping-up-on-local-bookshelves/" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">spike in demand for the book</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">OIFC actions so far</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-indent:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-indent:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We asked </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">whether that policy was rescinded, and if so, by whose authority, and when. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Medford School District declined all of these requests for information.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-indent:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">     </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">What you can do to help</span></p><br><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:36pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Send copies of </span><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/600455/the-handmaids-tale-graphic-novel-by-margaret-atwood/" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“The Handmaid’s Tale” (graphic novel version)</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> to: </span><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ryan Bradley, 205 S. Central Ave, Medford, OR 97501</span><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> for distribution in the community.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:36pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">If you live in the Medford area, volunteer to hand out and distribute books. Contact OASL Intellectual Freedom Advocate Miranda Doyle at </span><a href="mailto:intellectualfreedom@oasl.olaweb.org" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">intellectualfreedom@oasl.olaweb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:36pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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 </span><a href="mailto:msdschoolboard@medford.k12.or.us" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">msdschoolboard@medford.k12.or.us</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">be read into the record. The next school board meeting is </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">May 19, 2022</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:36pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><a href="https://ola.memberclicks.net/ifc-donation" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,255);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Donate</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">to OLA IFC. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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:</span></p></li><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:square;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:72pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The payment of fees associated with formal public records requests,</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:square;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:72pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Purchase of copies of challenged materials for community distribution,</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:square;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:72pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Education and advocacy efforts above and beyond the scope of Oregon Library Association – IFC committee activities and scope,</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:square;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:72pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Attorney fees as they related to challenge situations and/or policy reviews</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:square;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin-left:72pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Other financially bound processes as they relate to responding to challenge situations and Intellectual Freedom education</span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">-- Miranda Doyle</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="mailto:intellectualfreedom@oasl.olaweb.org" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">intellectualfreedom@oasl.olaweb.org</span></a></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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">OASL Intellectual Freedom Advocate</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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(25,25,25);font-family:Cambria,serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap">Below: Copies of “The Handmaid’s Tale” graphic novel donated to Medford so far, for distribution to the community.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Photo by Ryan Bradley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="border:none;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;width:291px;height:388px"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/A3D7WnuyCRrRWMeAAQKbALpMTcspfGBK4ZvIbYVPzFkTJa_wUY5MqPb5r_Y_vnLwwngJ7sbrRT7tCLw7AqR50pT97u2jM0Ob7NeZHt26Q7BhS2ZNwAQf6iRWifFDXiQOx_iv9elk9dpL3HSMeA" width="291" height="388" style="margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sticker design by Ryan Bradley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(25,25,25);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:none;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;width:345px;height:345px"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XJh_5u8fXkeK1enmkKRvNJ3W5QpHlTR6ViYKBaACi8wVEFduOSWeBKPXRIYSfijrCB1iL_0-hX5rUb1mxpfYOwdvFeGfvfCjI-irWjdFFprQpImIJos5xJ_Pf2rxumFrNo-w7YAQbVo3EMfdFA" width="345" height="345" style="margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></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-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span id="m_7999279055807708770gmail-docs-internal-guid-0cd2f5a4-7fff-6ecb-9fc7-90ec581ffa96"></span><br></span></p></span><br></div>
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