[Libs-Or] Connections: Your Link to the State Library of Oregon (October 2021)

Fri Oct 1 09:48:26 PDT 2021

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Volume 31, Issue 10 - October 2021
In this issue:

  *   State Library Building Nominated to National Register of Historic Places
  *   Getting to Know the Library Support and Development Services Division: Tamara Ottum
  *   Banned Books Week and Challenges in Oregon
  *   Translation Tool Added to OSLIS
  *   New Director Selected for the National Library Service
  *   Talking Book and Braille Library TRIVIA TIME!
  *   State Library eClips - Stay on Top of Oregon News
  *   Oregon State Agencies Promote Halloween Safety
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State Library Building Nominated to the National Register of Historic Places
We are very excited to share that the State Library building has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places! In the coming months, the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will review the State Library’s nomination to the National Register, the federal government’s official list of historic properties worthy of preservation.

[Old photo of the State Library building]The State Library building was constructed starting in 1938 as part of the Public Works Project, and was the first building, besides the Capitol, to be built on what is now known as the Capitol Mall. On the site was the former Cooke-Patton House, built by Edwin N. Cooke, Oregon’s first state treasurer. This home was razed to the ground in 1938 to make way for the new library (other homes on the site were detailed in one of our previous Connections articles<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=2fed48c234&e=14e6da8535>). The State Library building was completed in 1939, with the final cost totaling $825,000, including $450,000 from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). HB 495 had to be passed so the state could accept these federal funds.

Public comment regarding the nomination is officially open and will remain open until the National Park Service makes a final decision in February or March of 2022. You can review the complete application here<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=4d275d3b55&e=14e6da8535>; it is long, but be sure to scroll to the bottom to see all the amazing historical photos of the library. General information for the SACHP meeting is here<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=7fc761684a&e=14e6da8535>; anyone is welcome to attend the public meeting on October 22.

This designation would be honorary; the library would be in a thematic grouping of places built by the WPA, including Timberline Lodge. Being on the National Register would not impact the library’s ability to make improvements to the building, as state law already requires that improvements to any state building over 50 years old first be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.

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Getting to Know the Library Support and Development Services Division
Featured staff: Tamara Ottum (she/her)

[Tamara with her son]Tamara Ottum joined Library Support and Development Services at the State Library of Oregon in 2015. At first, she coordinated Answerland<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=b6eb78c6bf&e=14e6da8535>, the State Library’s online 24/7 library chat reference service which is now expertly managed by her colleague, Jennifer Cox.

Now Tamara serves as the Federal Programs & Grants Consultant. In this role she assists with the administration of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Program in Oregon<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=bdb93c4476&e=14e6da8535> and manages LSTA grant opportunities<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=61c4d76172&e=14e6da8535> for Oregon libraries and related nonprofit organizations.

This year, Tamara is helping to administer an additional federal grant award - nearly $3 million of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds that the State Library received through the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. With these funds the State Library has awarded over $2.1 million in competitive grants to local organizations<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=1be952aab8&e=14e6da8535> to help their communities respond directly and immediately to the pandemic and to related economic and community needs through equitable approaches. “It is exciting to see these funds go out into communities where it is needed,” said Tamara, “and I am honored to be a part of that process.”

When not at work, Tamara is busy trying to keep up with her two curious and exuberant small children.

Banned Books Week and Challenges in Oregon
[Red book with Banned Books Week on yellow tape over it]Banned Books Week is September 26 - October 2, and libraries are celebrating the right to read! In 2020, at least 273 titles were challenged or banned in libraries and schools across the country due to content or ideas people disagreed with (here is the official list<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=f1b6294432&e=14e6da8535>). Locally, 17 titles were challenged in Oregon (see the annual report<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=bcd899cd06&e=14e6da8535> for details).

Challenges were reported to the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC)<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=39264846be&e=14e6da8535>, a State Library-run program that collects information about intellectual freedom issues in Oregon’s public, school, and academic libraries. The goal of the Clearinghouse is to document attempts to limit someone’s free exploration or expression of ideas. Such attempts include:

  *   Challenges to remove or reclassify library materials.
  *   Requests to filter or limit Internet access.
  *   Objections to library programs, displays, exhibits, or events hosted in the library.
  *   Privacy violations, such as gathering personally identifiable information or a patron’s reading history.
  *   Hate/bias crimes and incidents.
  *   Other incidents such as limiting access to library cards, objecting to artwork or social media posts, etc.
These incidents are compiled annually in reports <https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=db8872312d&e=14e6da8535> that, over time, show patterns in what, where, and why library materials or services are challenged. Teachers, librarians, and booksellers in Oregon use these reports for Banned Books Week<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=784a5a74f8&e=14e6da8535> displays, activities, discussions, and events. In addition, State Library staff use them to connect library staff currently dealing with a challenge with other libraries who have dealt with a similar challenge, to provide support and advice.

Libraries, or anyone interested in intellectual freedom issues, can visit the OIFC <https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=bcf3dd158b&e=14e6da8535> to learn about how to prepare a library or school for potential challenges, how to talk with others who express concerns, and how to report and address these challenges.

Translation Tool Added to OSLIS
[OSLIS logo]¡Hola! Privyet! Xin chào! Hello! For nearly 20 years, the State Library has partnered with the Oregon Association of School Libraries to offer the Oregon School Library Information System, more commonly referred to as OSLIS. The main purpose of the website <https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=fe5b9ce9e6&e=14e6da8535> is to help upper elementary through high school students learn how to do research. Now, as part of a recent update, OSLIS includes a translation tool at the top of every page. Nearly 1 out of every 10 Oregon students has a language of origin other than English (Oregon Department of Education, p. 9<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=7086a82df4&e=14e6da8535>), so this new tool should help more students learn to research and research to learn! Gracias / spasibo / cảm ơn / thank you to the Institute of Museum and Library Services and its Library Services and Technology Act grant program for making projects like OSLIS possible.

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New Director Selected for the National Library Service
The National Library Service (NLS) has announced their selection for the next NLS director: Mr. Jason Broughton!

[Jason Broughton]Broughton will be the first African American person to helm the NLS. Prior to joining the NLS, he served as Vermont State Librarian. In this role, he engaged in strategic planning for the Department of Libraries and established a long-term vision for the State Library. Throughout his career, Broughton has held numerous positions at libraries in South Carolina and Georgia.

The NLS underwent significant changes under the previous director, Karen Keninger. She spearheaded many efforts to modernize the NLS, including the introduction of the BARD Mobile app for smartphones and tablets, updates to certifying authorities for applicants with reading impairments, Marrakesh Treaty implementation, and the Braille e-reader pilot we recently announced<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=5688abb02f&e=14e6da8535>. As a result, Broughton is now helming a more nimble, more open, and more exciting NLS, and we are looking forward to what he has planned for his own tenure.

Broughton earned his Master in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, a M.S. in Public Administration from the University of South Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Florida A&M University.

His first day at NLS was Monday, September 13. Please join us in wishing Jason Broughton the very best in his new role!

Talking Book and Braille Library TRIVIA TIME!
We’re back with another Talking Book and Braille Library Trivia Time! But before we get to this month’s question, here are last month’s answers:

  *   What is the title of the Talking Books and Braille Library's first remotely recorded book? Peace at Heart by Barbara Drake
  *   What year was the book a finalist for the Oregon Book Award? 1999
  *   What is the nickname of the Talking Book and Braille Library's customized cartridge computer station? Alexandria Gutenberg
  *   What year saw the beginning of the Talking Book and Braille program? 1932
Thank you to everyone who submitted their answers, and feel free to keep participating each month. Here is this month’s question:

Q: Which other State Library is including Oregon Braille readers in the National Library Service’s Braille e-reader pilot program?

  *   Arizona
  *   Utah
  *   New York
  *   California
[Click this link to submit your trivia question answers]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=a5d5786358&e=14e6da8535>

Hint: you can find the answer in a previous issue of Connections<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=3cb3272026&e=14e6da8535>.

Click the button above to submit your answer to the trivia question. If you provide your name and contact information and answer the question correctly, you may win a small but fun Talking Book and Braille Library swag package!

Check back next month to see the answer, and we’ll be back with more trivia in future Connections issues.

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State Library eClips - Stay on Top of Oregon News
Are you or someone you know looking to keep informed about what’s going on:

  *   in our state?
  *   with state government?
  *   with federal/national issues affecting Oregon?
If so, please direct them to the State Library’s eClips product<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=fde9a05538&e=14e6da8535>.

[Header of the eClips email]

This product is open to anyone, and subscribing is just one click away.

Subscribers receive one email each business day containing snippets of and links to the top 30 stories we’ve selected.

[Example of an eClips entry on the blog]

If you visit our eClips blog<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=1a4d293318&e=14e6da8535>, you can access snippets to all that day’s stories. We categorize and tag each entry so you can easily locate related stories. There is a search function to locate other stories of interest. Direct access to some stories is limited to state employees.

Come join the 2800+ individuals enjoying eClips already. We think you’ll like keeping on top of things.

Oregon State Agencies Promote Halloween Safety
Both the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division have created short videos promoting Halloween safety and health.

The State Library runs the Oregon Documents Depository Program<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=f8d9cb306f&e=14e6da8535>, which disseminates state publications throughout Oregon, including video content.

This content can be accessed via the State Library’s Digital Collections<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=828d5ae3bb&e=14e6da8535>. Specifically, the Halloween videos are available here<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=e9fbf71952&e=14e6da8535>.

The topics covered keep with the theme of the popular television Netflix series Stranger Things and include helpful tips regarding traffic safety, visibility, eating healthy, exercise, and dental care.

[Still image of the Halloween safety video]<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=14ccd9898a&e=14e6da8535>

Take a look, and we hope you and yours enjoy a fun and safe Halloween.

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Library Support & Development Services Program Manager
Buzzy Nielsen<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3486

Talking Book & Braille Library Manager
Elke Bruton<mailto:elke.bruton at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3509

Government Information & Library Services Manager
Caren Agata<mailto:caren.agata at slo.oregon.gov>, 971-375-3483

Chief Operating Officer
Susan Westin<mailto:susan.westin at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-5435

Acting State Librarian
Nancy Hoover<mailto:nancy.hoover at slo.oregon.gov>, 503-378-4367

Connections is published monthly by the State Library of Oregon, and was formerly known as Letters to Libraries Online.

Mission
The State Library of Oregon cultivates, preserves, and delivers library and information services to foster lifelong learning and community engagement.

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