Terri Lesley found herself unexpectedly thrust into the center of a contentious discussion on freedom of speech and book censorship that has impacted libraries in the U.S. and Canada. Her termination from the position of library system director in Campbell County, Wyo., over two years ago has culminated in a $700,000 US ($976,710 Cdn) settlement as part of a legal battle concerning her dismissal.
Reflecting on the outcome, Lesley expressed relief and optimism for her community’s future, stating, “I’m relieved to have this outcome, and I believe it will help my community to move on,” in an interview with host Nil Kӧksal on As It Happens.
Lesley’s lawsuit asserts that her termination, after nearly two decades of service, stemmed from her refusal to censor or limit books featuring 2SLGBTQ+ themes and sexual content at a library in Gillette, Wyo. The county, however, refuted Lesley’s allegations, attributing her dismissal to performance-related issues rather than the book dispute.
In response to the settlement, Campbell County referenced a statement from its insurance company’s attorney, clarifying that the agreement does not imply an acknowledgment of the accusations made. The statement emphasizes the resolution as a means to avoid escalating litigation costs.
As part of the settlement terms, Lesley has withdrawn her lawsuit, while a separate legal case against three individuals involved in challenging the books remains ongoing.
How a Pride post changed everything
Throughout her tenure in public service in Wyoming County, Lesley encountered very few instances of book challenges. However, a significant shift occurred in 2021 following a Pride month post by the library’s public relations coordinator, which showcased their 2SLBGTQ+ collection and triggered a surge in complaints. The number of book challenges escalated from three to nearly 30 by the end of the year, according to data from the American Library Association (ALA).
Lesley emphasized that the objections raised in Gillette targeted books such as This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson, How Do You Make a Baby by Anna Fiske, Doing It by Hannah Witton, Sex is a Funny Word by Corey Silverberg, and Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy by Andrew P. Smiler, many of which were geared towards teenage readers and contained 2SLBTQ+ content.
Amidst the ongoing challenges faced by libraries, Lesley’s case is reflective of broader battles over book censorship in the U.S. and Canada. The rise in book challenges, particularly concerning LGBTQIA+ themes and characters, underscores a growing trend of organized movements advocating for censorship in educational and public library settings.
Lesley’s
