[PL-Directors] Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse

[Katie Anderson]

Dear Library Directors,
 
Every year the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC) publishes a report on challenges to all types of library materials in Oregon.  This report provides a landscape of censorship activity in Oregon, and is submitted to ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom to be included in their report on censorship activity in the United States.  The Annual Report is also used by librarians and teachers to help them develop activities for Banned Books Week.
 
The Annual Report is based on challenge reports OIFC receives from all types of Oregon libraries (school, academic, and public).  All local libraries are encouraged to report challenges to materials on a voluntary basis.  OIFC does not publish names of people, organizations, libraries, and towns identified in challenge reports.  
 
I will be compiling the 2007 Annual Report the first week of September and I need all the challenge reports to be submitted by August 30, 2007.  Please submit a separate challenge report for each formal challenge to library materials that occurred at your library between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.
 
This information is complied to assist Oregon libraries currently facing a challenge as well as providing information that will help you plan Banned Books Week activities.  The Annual Report will tell you what books were challenged in Oregon libraries the previous year.  The more libraries reporting challenges to OIFC the better OIFC can help you! 
 
Please take time to report challenges to OIFC.  The accuracy of OIFC's Annual Report and Title Index to Challenges is directly related to the number of Oregon libraries reporting challenges.  
 
To report challenges to materials at your library:
Print the attached challenge report form or download and print the form at (link). 
Fill out a challenge report form for each item that went through your library's formal process for dealing with challenges to library material. 
Mail your completed form(s) to:
Oregon State Library
c/o Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse
250 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
 
For more information about OIFC visit our website (http://oregon.gov/OSL/LD/intellectual.shtml) or contact the coordinator of OIFC, Katie Anderson, 503-378-2528. 
 
Thank you,

Katie Anderson
Youth Services Consultant
Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator
Library Development 
Oregon State Library
503-378-2528
katie.anderson at state.or.us
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