As an institution of higher education, Eastern Oregon University guides student inquiry through integrated, high-quality liberal arts and professional programs that lead to responsible and reflective action in a diverse and interconnected world. Pierce Library is committed to helping fulfill this mission by creating and maintaining a dynamic environment, focused on service and guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, that encourages access to the cultural, historical and intellectual achievements of humankind.
Towards that end, our collection policies reflect the American Library Association's "Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights", as well as the Intellectual Freedom Committee's "Intellectual Freedom Statement", "Statement of Labeling" and the "Resolution on Non-Removal of Challenged Library Materials" statement.
We, the faculty and staff of the Eastern Oregon University Library, recognize that materials available for use in the Library may from time to time prove offensive to some of our patrons. We regret this. Our view, nonetheless, is that it is our responsibility, both as adherents to the ethical canons of the American Library Association and as agents acting in pursuit of the mission of the University, to provide the widest possible access to informational resources, whether present on site or found at distant locations, consistent with the laws of our state and nation, and the rules and regulations of the University of which we are a part.
We are also conscious that, in our building, the space available for use of these materials, given particular requirements involved in the placement of equipment, is often limited. We further realize that this circumstance may, in the sense of creating the possibility of others being exposed to materials repugnant to their various beliefs and sensibilities, exacerbate the situation. This also we regret.
Still, our policy in the matter is unshakable. We support our University to the fullest, and again, consider it our obligation, both as members of the library community and as employees of the University, to pursue in the most effective manner possible, through the provision of resources as specified above, the University’s mission, to the enduring benefit of our entire EOU community, students, graduates, faculty and staff, and the citizenry of the State of Oregon.
In addition, the Libraries uphold the American Library Association Code of Ethics which states in part: "We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources."
We thank you for your understanding.
