Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse. Fourteenth Annual Report, July 1, 2000-June 30, 2001

Abstract

The goal of the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse is to uphold the principles of the Library Bill of Rights in all types of libraries by improving communication between librarians, board members, professional associations, and other concerned groups in Oregon about challenges to intellectual freedom, and by increasing awareness as to how threats to intellectual freedom can be overcome. The data collection is limited to formal challenges to any type of library material in any type of Oregon library. A formal challenge is defined as a written "Request for Reconsideration" or "Statement of Concern" submitted by a group or individual to a library. Additional information is obtained from newspaper reports, if available. In a few instances, newspaper articles are the sole source of information about a challenge. The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse received information about 47 challenges against library materials between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001. Thirty of the challenged titles were books, 12 were videotapes or DVDs, one was a compact disc, one was a magazine, two were books on tape, and one was a book/audio tape combination. Public libraries experienced 41 of the challenges and school libraries reported six challenges. Twenty-two of the challenges items were designated as children's or young adult materials, and 25 were materials for adults. In 46 of the challenges, library staff committees or a school board decided that the materials should be retained. Three of those items were reclassified to more accurately reflect the content and one of those items is not restricted to teacher use. One item was removed from a school library collection. For each item listed in this Fourteenth Annual Report, a summary of objections and a summary of events are provided. A statistical snapshot of the challenges reported since the inception of the Clearinghouse in May 1987 is then presented, followed by a 5-year overview of Clearinghouse data that analyzes the data in a graphic format. A final section identifies other intellectual freedom issues in Oregon in 2000-2001. (AEF)