ORS 337.277 Prohibition on discrimination in selection or retention of library materials; process for removal of library materials

As used in this section:

“Classroom library” means any collection of library materials made available to students at a public school of this state in:

A single classroom; or

A common area accessible by two or more classrooms.

“Library materials” includes educational or literary materials that are nonfiction or fiction and that are available in print or an electronic format.

“Library materials” does not include textbooks or instructional materials that are selected as provided by ORS 337.120, 337.141 or 337.260.

“School library” means any collection of library materials made available to students at a public school of this state:

At a central location of the school;

At a common area for one or more grades of the school; or

Through an online remote education program.

To comply with the prohibition on discrimination required by ORS 659.850, a licensed teacher with a library media endorsement, a district school board, an administrator or any other person responsible for the selection or retention of library materials in a school library or a classroom library may not prohibit the selection or retention of, or refuse to select or retain, library materials on the basis that the library materials include a perspective, study or story of, or are created by, any individual or group against whom discrimination is prohibited under ORS 659.850.

Library materials may not be removed from a school library or a classroom library at the request of a person who is not responsible for the selection or retention of the library materials unless:

The request is made as a formal written request by a parent or guardian of a student of the school or an employee of the school;

A committee from the school or school district considers the request made under paragraph (a) of this subsection to ensure compliance with subsection (2) of this section and, if after consideration of the request agrees to the removal, provides a public written explanation for the removal; and

The removal is not made until the committee provides the public written explanation described in paragraph (b) of this subsection.