State Library Releases 2025-26 OIFC Report
- 09/29/26
Oregon libraries are committed to ensuring Oregonians have access to a variety of high-quality information through their collections, programs, and services. Since 1987, the State Library of Oregon has collected information about intellectual freedom challenges at libraries across the state. This annual report highlights the work of libraries in continuing to ensure collections and services represent the people they serve.
Over the years, there has been a clear pattern: stories that focus on people who have limited representation and little voice in society are challenged the most. A challenge is any attempt to remove or limit access to a material, service, or program at a library. The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse (OIFC) 2026 report summarizes challenges from the previous fiscal year: July 2025-June 2026.
The 2026 OIFC Annual Report includes 60 official challenge incidents in public libraries and schools. This is the third most incidents since OIFC began. Incidents included challenges to 70 unique titles and 75 items. Items challenged in the 2026 report are the third highest since 1987.
Oregon’s high numbers match national trends. In its 2025 book ban data, the American Library Association’s (ALA) reported an all-time high for censorship attempts. ALA began collecting statistics in 1990. OIFC data is reported to ALA and included in their national statistics.
Common reasons people claimed for challenging items included:
- Sex or nudity.
- Content about people who are two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or other identities related to sexual orientation or gender identity (2SLGBTQIA+).
- Inappropriate for the target age group.
While most challenges were to materials, 22% focused on library programs, displays, or services. These incidents included:
- A challenge to all adult graphic novels.
- Objections to Banned Books Week and Pride Month displays.
- A claim that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library “indoctrinates” children to Christianity.
One incident dealt with library records. Under Oregon law, patron information on library cards is exempt from public disclosure. After finding a library card, law enforcement official asked for private information about the patron. The library refused.
The pattern is clear: most challenges target stories about people in underrepresented, protected classes. In this report, 67% of challenged items featured 2SLGBTQIA+ people, Black, Indigenous, or other people of color.
There have been steps taken to prevent such discrimination, including the 2025 Senate Bill 1098. This bill specifically prohibits discrimination against protected classes when choosing instructional, curricular, or library materials in schools. There is no direct evidence that SB 1098 affected reported challenges. However, there was a drop in the number of incidents reported at schools in 2026; only 7% of incidents were at schools, the lowest since 2017.
“We are committed to supporting libraries, schools, and their staff, to protect the freedom to read for all Oregonians. The free flow of information provided by libraries is vital to Oregon communities. While this year does not break any records, it continues recent trends and confirms the importance of libraries and the access to information they provide.” says Wendy Cornelisen, State Librarian.
The Oregon Library Association (OLA) and ALA support Oregon libraries experiencing challenges. Volunteers on OLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee advise libraries and schools. ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom also consults and provides resources. The State Library of Oregon relies on both of these non-profit organizations' work.
To learn more about OIFC and challenges in Oregon, please visit the OIFC website at https://slo.oregon.gov/oifc/. For more information, contact Buzzy Nielsen, Program Manager for Library Support: [email protected] or 971-375-3486.