Text Size: A+| A-| A   |   Text Only Site   |   Accessibility
Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse
Overview
Report Challenges
Resources
Publications
Overview
The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC) collects reports on formally challenged materials from all types of Oregon libraries (school, academic, and public).  OIFC uses challenge reports as a resource to help libraries deal with challenges.  Challenge reports document how a library dealt with a challenge, this information is extremely valuable for other libraries dealing with similar challenges.  OIFC also uses challenge reports to compile the Title Index to Challenges to library material in Oregon which librarians and teachers use to develop book lists and activities for Banned Books Week. 
 
Oregon libraries are responsible for reporting challenges to materials at their library on a voluntary basis.  The accuracy of OIFC’s Annual Report and Title Index to Challenges is directly related to the percentage of libraries reporting. 
 
For more information contact the coordinator of the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse, Katie Anderson, 503-378-2528.
 

Report Challenges
To report formal challenges to library material at your library complete the report challenges form and mail it to:
 
Oregon State Library
c/o Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse
250 Winter St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
 
OIFC Privacy Policy:  Names of people, organizations, libraries, and towns identified in challenge reports are not published.  Starting in 2007, the Title Index to Challenges will not publish the names of libraries where challenges occurred.  The Annual Report identifies the type of library (school, academic, or public) where the challenge occurred.  The Oregon State Library is a state agency and therefore subject to Public Records Laws as stated in Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 192—Records; Public Reports and Meetings.
 
OIFC will make one copy of your challenge report; black out any information identifying your library, staff, and community to protect your privacy; and send it to ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom with OIFC’s Annual Report in December.

Resources
These resources will help you:
  1. Deal with challenges to materials in your library.
  2. Develop library policies to prevent formal challenges.
  3. Establish procedures for dealing with formal challenges when they occur.
  4. Learn more about intellectual freedom issues in school, academic, and public libraries.
 
Learn about Senate Bill 950, what it means to libraries, and recommendations for libraries.
 
For additional information about dealing with challenges to library materials contact Katie Anderson, 503-378-2528.

Publications
Starting in 2007, entries added to the Title Index to Challenges will not include library names.  However, past entries that include library names will not be removed from the Index.  The Title Index to Challenges is a record of all challenges to library material in Oregon that have been reported to OIFC since it was established in 1987. 
 
2008 Annual Report                                     Title Index to Challenges (excel)                              
2007 Annual Report                                      
19th Annual Report (2006)                            
17th Annual Report (2004) 
16th Annual Report (2003)
15th Annual Report (2002)
14th Annual Report (2001)
13th Annual Report (2000)
12th Annual Report (1999)
11th Annual Report (1998)
10th Annual Report (1997)
9th   Annual Report (1996)
8th   Annual Report (1995)
7th   Annual Report (1994)
6th   Annual Report (1993)
5th   Annual Report (1992)
4th   Annual Report (1991)
3rd   Annual Report (1990)
2nd   Annual Report (1989)
1st   Annual Report (1988)
 
The 18th Annual Report was not posted on this website while the OIFC needs assessment was being conducted.  Contact Katie Anderson, 503-378-2528, to request copies of these reports and reports published prior to 1996.

 
Page updated: September 08, 2008

Get Adobe Acrobat ReaderAdobe Reader is required to view PDF files. Click the "Get Adobe Reader" image to get a free download of the reader from Adobe.