Bill enacted in Oregon to safeguard school libraries from censorship of literary works.
Victory for the Right to Read in Oregon 📚
This week, Oregon's state House of Representatives took a significant step forward, passing Senate Bill 1098 on Monday. This legislation intends to safeguard access to books in school libraries, ensuring that self-censorship is no longer valid on the basis of sexuality, religion, or other controversial topics.
Books written by individuals from protected classes can no longer be banned solely due to their identity. This bill should become law soon as it awaits the governor's signature.
A Coalition's Triumph
The initiative owes a great deal to the combined efforts of various advocacy groups and citizens, including the ACLU of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, and Authors Against Book Bans, an organization with a stellar reputation in fighting similar battles.
Cat Winters, an Oregon-based author and the co-leader of Authors Against Book Bans, expressed her optimism about the bill, stating, "SB 1098 will give school librarians and teachers the long-awaited tool to protect the freedom to read." Winters further added, "This bill will prevent the removal of books from classrooms and school libraries simply because they address the existence of LGBTQIA+ people or individuals from diverse ethnicities, religions, etc."
A Lone Republican Voice
On a rare note of defiance against the dominant right-wing sentiments, Cyrus Javadi, the single Republican representative who voted for the bill, spoke out against the pervasive culture of book banning. He emphasized the importance of preserving our libraries from fear, confusion, and censorship, urging that we should not erase books just because they make people uncomfortable.
A Need for Inclusive Libraries
The bill ensures that the libraries' collections are reasonably reflective of various perspectives and experiences. The current trend has shown that challenged books have been disproportionately by and/or about people from protected classes. The ALA has been monitoring similar Right to Read bills in different states. Oregon, now joined by Colorado, Washington, California, Vermont, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, and others, is making strides in protecting libraries and their workers.
Cat Winters, the author and advocate, expressed her pride in the accomplishments of the Oregon chapter of Authors Against Book Bans. She underscored the significance of books in shaping the minds of young readers, stating, "Diverse books show kids they aren't alone, and their lives have value."
- Cat Winters, the co-leader of Authors Against Book Bans, is an Oregon-based author who has been instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 1098, which aims to safeguard access to books in school libraries.
- The bill, once signed into law, will give school librarians and teachers the tool to protect the freedom to read, preventing the removal of books due to their author's identity or the topics they address, such as LGBTQIA+ and diverse ethnicities.
- The success of Senate Bill 1098 can be attributed to the combined efforts of advocacy groups like the ACLU of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, and Authors Against Book Bans, as well as individual citizens.
- The bill serves to ensure that school libraries' collections are inclusive, reflecting a variety of perspectives and experiences, and countering the trend of books by and about people from protected classes being disproportionately challenged. This aligns with the efforts of other states, such as Colorado, California, and Vermont, in protecting libraries and their workers.
