Portland State University’s rare book collection protected despite library damage
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Nearly a week after an occupation of Portland State University’s library that lasted for nearly three days, it appears the rare collections inside the building were protected despite the building’s vandalism.
Staff said the university’s archivist entered the library during the occupation and appealed to protestors to help barricade and protect many of the rare collections.
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Still, Interim Library Dean Micheal Bowman said some were damaged with spray paint. And with a collection of more than a million books, it will be a while before the university has an accurate inventory or dollar amount in damages.
Meanwhile, the university’s rare Dark Horse Comics collection – previously reported stolen – appears to be intact, according to Bowman.
On Monday, May 29, a group entered the university’s Millar Library during an outdoor protest for a ceasefire in Gaza. At that point, PSU officials and city leaders said the protest had morphed from “free speech” into “criminal behavior.”
On the second day of the occupation, KOIN 6 News entered the library where vandalism — including graffiti, broken glass and smashed computers — could be found throughout every floor of the building.
Portland police cleared the protesters from the building not once, but twice on Thursday. Inside, investigators found “caches of tools, what appears to be improvised weapons, ball bearings, paint balloons, spray bottles of ink, and DIY armor.”
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More than two massive dumpsters filled with pallets and other debris have been removed during cleanup. Staff said teams are in the process of rewiring fire sprinkler systems and repainting walls.
The campus resumed classes the day after protests ended, yet some feel the administration missed the mark when the protest derailed into the library’s occupation.
“Honestly, I feel that PSU handled the situation poorly,” PSU student H.G. Garner said.
The library will likely remain out of commission until the start of the Fall 2024 semester. But for now, Bowman said tensions remain high.
“The emotional impact on everyone, kind of the trauma. Some people are kind of worried about coming back into the building,” Bowman said.
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President Ann Cudd told KOIN 6 News the university will pursue disciplinary actions for any students found guilty as the criminal justice process plays out.
According to PSU, 20% of those who occupied Millar Library were students.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
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