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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761">Hi Folks,<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761">Here’s additional information about the meeting Emily O’Neal, IFC Chair, shared about earlier today. The Grants Pass School District board policy committee will have a workshop
on <i>Tuesday, July 23<sup>rd</sup></i> <i>from noon to 5:00 pm</i>. Note that the start time on the
<u><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kzXFjo3j5MtShHI3MgpoCHbttGuPh8EW/view">agenda</a></u> is currently listed as 5:00 pm, but that is not correct. It is not a
<u><a href="https://www.grantspass.k12.or.us/our-district/board-of-education/2024-agendas">board meeting</a></u> in the traditional sense, and there will not be a board meeting that day. While the workshop is a public meeting, it’s not likely that public comment
will be accepted at the meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761">The two school library policies that will be discussed are linked at the bottom of the agenda, and a Zoom link is at the top. The suggested new text for the
<u><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/15VJKjPL8_c-3e4Ixm1izlcvpUfBvx5ni/view">Instructional and Library Media Resources and Materials policy IIA</a></u> starts on page 4 of the linked document. We have been told that the committee expects to discuss the
library policies during the last 30 to 45 minutes; anyone who would like to watch the discussion via Zoom may want to log in by 4:00 pm. We were also told that this is the “conversation phase” and that any votes are likely a few months off.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761">Again, please contact the individuals listed below if you have concerns about the proposed IIA library policy.<br>
<br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761">Thanks,<br>
Jen<br>
<br>
IFC, ex officio State Library of Oregon representative<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black">Jen Maurer, MLS</span></b><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black">
</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">(</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">she/her)<br>
School Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon<br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#2F5496"><a href="mailto:jennifer.maurer@slo.oregon.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">jennifer.maurer@slo.oregon.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">
| 971-375-3540 | </span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#2F5496"><a href="https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">
<br>
</span><span style="color:#2F5496"><br>
</span><span style="color:blue"><img border="0" width="458" height="60" style="width:4.7666in;height:.625in" id="Picture_x0020_27" src="cid:image001.png@01DAD9E1.2F4F5C10" alt="Logo with this text: State Library of Oregon, Library Support and Development Services"></span><span style="color:#0F4761"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0F4761"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces@omls.oregon.gov>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Intellectual Freedom Committee via Libs-Or<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 19, 2024 9:05 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> libs-or@omls.oregon.gov<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Libs-Or] Grants Pass SD - call for support<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi all,<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">As book challenges continue to rage through our communities, one tactic we (the IFC) have begun to see utilized repeatedly now, is the idea of trying to keep the situation quiet, to attempt to remove materials without it becoming a media
frenzy, doing so often without the communities even aware that this is happening.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The IFC recognizes the need for transparency in these issues, knowing that if the communities WERE aware of these challenges, they would write letters to the Boards and administrators, advocating for the right to read freely.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">With this, the IFC will begin (when appropriate) to share challenge situations more broadly, especially at times where we know a letter writing campaign to boards, administrators, and letters to the media would help support preserving the
right to read.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">In that, we are asking for support coming out of Grants Pass School District. In short, Grants Pass had an informal complaint to four books:
<i><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"docs-Calibri",serif;color:black">All Boys Aren’t Blue</span></i><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"docs-Calibri",serif;color:black">,
<i>Flamer</i>, <i>Beyond Magenta,</i> and <i>Night of the Living Queers .</i> </span>
As a result of the situation regarding these four titles, the Library Board is proposing a policy change. <span style="color:black">They are recommending creating a new "library selection committee" that would approve every single book purchased for the coming
year.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">In the effort of saving you some time, here is the section of the new policy that is highly concerning:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Library books, media and Supplementary Materials Objectives<br>
All selections will be consistent with the following principles which:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-left:30.0pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">1. Provide materials that enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the students served;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">2. Provide materials that stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">aesthetic values and ethical standards;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">3. Provide a background information which will enable students to make intelligent</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">judgments in their daily lives;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">4. Provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues, so that young citizens may</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">develop, under guidance, the practice of analytical reading and critical thinking;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">5. Provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">showing their contributions to our heritage and that<span style="background:yellow"> inform rather than indoctrinate;</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">6. Place evaluative criteria above personal opinion in the selection of materials of the</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">library media center;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">7. Maintain a current and usable collection; school personnel will provide continuing</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">renewal of the collection and resources, not only by addition of up-to-date materials, but by</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">the elimination of materials which no longer meet needs.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Selection Criteria<br>
The Librarian Selection Committee shall consider the following criteria in evaluating materials:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-left:30.0pt;margin-right:0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">1. Overall need and relation to approved curriculum;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">2. Quality of writing, authenticity, and has literary merit;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">3. Authors demonstrate subject matter authority;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">4.<span style="background:yellow"> Age appropriateness in theme and content;</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:yellow">5. Does not contain graphic violence, sexually explicit, lude, obscene, and erotic language,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:yellow">or display pornographic material, or images, or encourage sexual behavior;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:yellow">6. Does not contain repetitive vulgar language;</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">7. Contributes to viewpoint diversity and balance on political, cultural, and intellectual</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">topics.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">We know they are going to turn to these points to no longer purchase library materials by or about LGBTQ folks. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">At this point, we need to gather the masses and help let the Grants Pass School Board and administrators know that the library community (and Grants Pass community) do not stand for this policy and ask them to
vote against its implementation.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">If you have time and would be willing, we would love to encourage letters to the following:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Superintendent T</span>im<span style="color:black"> Sweeney: </span><a href="mailto:tsweeney@grantspass.k12.or.us">tsweeney@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Grants Pass School Board: <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> - Dustin Smith: <a href="mailto:dsmith@grantspass.k12.or.us">dsmith@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">- Chad Dybdahl: <a href="mailto:cdybdahl@grantspass.k12.or.us">cdybdahl@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">- Gary Richardson: <a href="mailto:glrichardson@grantspass.k12.or.us">glrichardson@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">- Debbie Brownell: <a href="mailto:dbrownell@grantspass.k12.or.us">dbrownell@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">- Cassie Wilkins: <a href="mailto:cwilkins@grantspass.k12.or.us">cwilkins@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">- Nathan Seable: <a href="mailto:nseable@grantspass.k12.or.us">nseable@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">- Joseph Schmidt: <a href="mailto:jschmidt@grantspass.k12.or.us">jschmidt@grantspass.k12.or.us</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Grants Pass Daily Courier - letters to the editor: <a href="mailto:newsdept@thedailycourier.com"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#3333CC;background:#CDD8E7">newsdept@thedailycourier.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you all for your advocacy - and know we will try and share these situations more transparently (where appropriate) in the future.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Emily and the IFC<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="gmailsignatureprefix">-- </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chair - <a href="mailto:ifc.chair@olaweb.org" target="_blank">
ifc.chair@olaweb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Intellectual Freedom Committee <a href="https://www.olaweb.org/if-home" target="_blank">https://www.olaweb.org/if-home</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oregon Library Association <a href="https://www.olaweb.org/" target="_blank">https://www.olaweb.org/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222">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. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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