Canceled library programming in Klamath County divides residents

Earlier this month, a Klamath County book club was canceled following complaints from residents about a book it featured, “No More Police: A Case for Abolition.”

“We picked a book every month that would stimulate discussion about current social justice issues,” said Charla Oppenlander, the assistant library director of the Klamath County Library Service District.

In addition to the book about abolishing police, the club featured other titles like “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” that addressed income inequity and other social issues. The book club hosted about five to eight community members, according to Oppenlander.

At a meeting on May 3, the Klamath County Board of Commissioners instructed the library to ensure programming didn’t create a perception of endorsing or sponsoring a political position.

“I’m not about banning books, ever,” said Derrick DeGroot, the chair of the commission at the meeting. But, he added, “We don’t have political discussions at our library, it is a safe place for people to actually escape the noise.”