[kids-lib] Urgent: Support SB 1098 – Protect the Freedom to Read (Public Hearing March 3)

[MAURER Jennifer * SLO]

Please pardon the cross-posting. I am forwarding this on behalf of the OLA Legislative Committee<https://www.olaweb.org/ldlc>. – Thanks, 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 Kate Lasky via Libs-Or
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2025 2:50 PM
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: [Libs-Or] Urgent: Support SB 1098 – Protect the Freedom to Read (Public Hearing March 3)

Dear Oregon Library Community,

Senator Frederick in the Oregon State Senate has just released his Freedom To Read Bill (SB 1098)<https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB1098> —a critically important piece of legislation that the Oregon Library Association (OLA) has been working to advance.

This bill is a holdover from last legislative session (2024), where it was introduced as SB 1583. Thanks to the powerful testimony and advocacy from the library community, that bill made a significant impact. Now, SB 1098 builds on that foundation, with a key update: it includes support from the Oregon Department of Education to assist school librarians in navigating book bans and fulfilling their critical role in student learning.

SB 1098 protects students’ right to read, learn, and share ideas free from discriminatory censorship by prohibiting discriminatory book bans in Oregon’s public schools. The health of our democracy depends on an educated public where ideas are openly disseminated, discussed, and debated. Your voice made a difference last session, and we need your support again.

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 3, at 8:00 AM—please tune in and take action!

Here’s how you can help:

-Read and share the attached Freedom to Read One-Page summary document.

-Register to testify virtually or in-person on this coming Monday, March 3rd at 8am (signups should open at 5pm today). You can register here.<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__olis.oregonlegislature.gov_liz_2025R1_Measures_Testimony_SB1098&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=1fMWZ6QrGh_2XBkOc_-s5lfxPI0qBvd0jIfFzV_8Yh0&m=xPZYqaQKH_WMsAKniCailQNT8Q5tMWGEA_9IyQ01IM3Jhhq9VHO6_A-P1V49tbrp&s=HHwdU2JR5SD9xCDeKCF1BRHgf_4vC_p5HXvOo40rxwo&e=>  You can also visit our Communication & Testimony Toolkit<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1sn-2DQjev6fL-2DiiR7BaFy0bgVLI3LQHSlaF149EHMOVEM_edit-3Ftab-3Dt.0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=1fMWZ6QrGh_2XBkOc_-s5lfxPI0qBvd0jIfFzV_8Yh0&m=xPZYqaQKH_WMsAKniCailQNT8Q5tMWGEA_9IyQ01IM3Jhhq9VHO6_A-P1V49tbrp&s=uzx2fY5Wo3AOa_pLnASCa2Z0NMLudzffJ7DuUaLXNzg&e=> to prepare for your testimony.

-Write a letter for the record. Also using the Communication & Testimony Toolkit<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_1sn-2DQjev6fL-2DiiR7BaFy0bgVLI3LQHSlaF149EHMOVEM_edit-3Ftab-3Dt.0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=1fMWZ6QrGh_2XBkOc_-s5lfxPI0qBvd0jIfFzV_8Yh0&m=xPZYqaQKH_WMsAKniCailQNT8Q5tMWGEA_9IyQ01IM3Jhhq9VHO6_A-P1V49tbrp&s=uzx2fY5Wo3AOa_pLnASCa2Z0NMLudzffJ7DuUaLXNzg&e=>, you can submit a letter to the State Legislature here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__olis.oregonlegislature.gov_liz_2025R1_Measures_Testimony_SB1098&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=1fMWZ6QrGh_2XBkOc_-s5lfxPI0qBvd0jIfFzV_8Yh0&m=xPZYqaQKH_WMsAKniCailQNT8Q5tMWGEA_9IyQ01IM3Jhhq9VHO6_A-P1V49tbrp&s=HHwdU2JR5SD9xCDeKCF1BRHgf_4vC_p5HXvOo40rxwo&e=>. (submissions should be available starting at 5pm today.)

-Contact your legislator. Use the Find Your Legislator tool<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.oregonlegislature.gov_FindYourLegislator_leg-2Dsearch.html&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=1fMWZ6QrGh_2XBkOc_-s5lfxPI0qBvd0jIfFzV_8Yh0&m=xPZYqaQKH_WMsAKniCailQNT8Q5tMWGEA_9IyQ01IM3Jhhq9VHO6_A-P1V49tbrp&s=dOlTJilTy72xqOgJHIs8cK-810U2AizY3CexaxtSMls&e=> to identify your State Senator. Email or call their office to express your support for SB 1098.

Opposition to this bill is already organizing. We need a strong show of support from the library community to make it clear that the voices calling for censorship do not represent us all.

Thank you for taking the time to read, act, and stand up for the freedom to read.

Jeremy Skinner
Co-Chair, OLA Legislative Committee

Kate Lasky
Co-Chair, OLA Legislative Committee


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