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<p class="MsoNormal"><img width="623" height="140" style="width:6.493in;height:1.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D9E1A4.200C3F60"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">Please see below for highlighted corrections for the press release dating September 5, 2023.</span></i><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Contact: Buzzy Nielsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Program Manager for Library Support<br>
<a href="mailto:buzzy.nielsen@slo.oregon.gov">buzzy.nielsen@slo.oregon.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> 971-375-3486<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">September 5, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Salem, Ore –</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">
Libraries and schools in Oregon reported challenges to more books and other materials in 2022-23 than at any point since the State Library of Oregon began collecting data. This statistic and more are available in the latest report of the Oregon Intellectual
Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
</span><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/oifc/"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
was established in 1987 to collect and compile information from libraries and schools concerning intellectual freedom, the right of anyone to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and
</span><a href="https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/Pages/OrConst.aspx"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Article I, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.
OIFC particularly tracks challenges, i.e., any attempt to remove or restrict access to a library material, service, or program based on the objection of a person or group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
</span><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/ld.php?content_id=73171120"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">OIFC 2023 Report</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
shows that <span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">46 challenge</span> incidents were reported from July 2022 to June 2023.
<span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">93 titles were challenged</span> in those incidents, as well as various services and programs, setting a record for the most titles challenged in Oregon in one year. The previous record was set in 1992-93
with 70 titles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This Oregon milestone comes amidst a similarly record-breaking national climate of challenges. Earlier this
year, the American Library Association (ALA) </span><a href="https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2023/03/record-book-bans-2022"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">reported</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
that 2022 saw the most attempts to restrict library resources since they began collecting statistics. Per ALA, “The prevalent use of lists of books compiled by organized censorship groups contributed significantly to the skyrocketing number of challenges and
the frequency with which each title was challenged.” OIFC data is reported to the ALA and compiled in their national statistics.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Objections to library materials and services in Oregon varied widely. Stated reasons for the challenges often
centered around lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and related topics; claims of materials being sexually explicit or pornographic; or materials and services by, for, or about Black, Indigenous, and people of color. In addition to materials challenges,
in seven incidents people objected to libraries’ Pride Month displays. In another incident, an individual challenged the library’s materials and services in Spanish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This year’s report included new causes for concern. In 15 incidents, libraries reported that objectors bypassed
established challenge processes by taking objections directly to a library board, school administrator, or governing board, or even hiding, stealing, or trashing materials. In some cases, library staff were intimidated and harassed, called groomers and pedophiles,
and/or received death threats.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“In the face of unusual vitriol, libraries and library staff in Oregon once again have proven to be fierce
defenders of intellectual freedom” says Wendy Cornelisen, State Librarian. “Strong libraries ensure that everyone in the community sees themselves and the experiences of others unlike themselves in library collections and services. The State Library of Oregon
is committed to strengthening libraries and supporting their staff during this exceptional and challenging time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Libraries experiencing intellectual freedom challenges in Oregon are supported by the Oregon Library Association
(OLA) and the ALA. Volunteers on OLA’s </span><a href="https://www.olaweb.org/intellectual-freedom-committee-home"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Intellectual Freedom Committee</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
respond and advise libraries during challenges, often serving as points of first contact for libraries seeking assistance. ALA’s
</span><a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Office of Intellectual Freedom</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
provides resources and consulting to help libraries prepare for and manage attempts at censorship. The State Library of Oregon relies on the expertise of both groups in its OIFC work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">To learn more about the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse and challenges in Oregon libraries, please
visit the OIFC website at </span><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/oifc"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0070C0;text-decoration:none">https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/oifc</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">or contact Buzzy Nielsen, Program Manager for Library Support, at
</span><a href="mailto:buzzy.nielsen@slo.oregon.gov"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">buzzy.nielsen@slo.oregon.gov</span></b></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
or 971-375-3486.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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