Concerns about LGBT books promoting pedophilia, grooming prompt 4 states to sever ties with American Library Association

Wyoming 

As Wyoming Public Media reported last October, the Campbell County Public Library Board voted 4-1 to amend the library’s mission statement. The board also severed ties with the Wyoming Library Association and eliminated the public funding of ALA memberships for staff.

Regarding the amended statement, the board approved the addition of the words “while reflecting community standards,” according to the outlet. The original statement previously read, “Our mission is to provide diverse cultural opportunities for reading, learning and entertainment to all citizens of our community. We lead the way to a universe of information with personal service and technology.”

“The reason I want to continue with this mission statement is because we rely heavily on the librarians and they choose the books, they get to pick what comes into our community,” Board Chair Sage Bear said. “I want them to think about our community.”

While the Campbell County library is not a member of ALA, the board opted to remove it from the Wyoming Library Association, as ALA is its parent organization. The board felt disassociating from ALA was necessary, citing concerns that the library group is helping to expose children to sexually explicit, age-inappropriate material.

David Hardesty, a community member, disagreed with the decision to cut ties with the ALA, believing that the decision accommodated a vocal minority. Other community members critical of the ALA, including Ed Sisti, view the association as politically motivated. 

“So what our library, the American Library Association, and the Wyoming Library Association doesn't like is coming under any scrutiny at all,” Sisti said. “Books like Gender Queer and others have become a focus not only for people in Campbell County but across the communities of the nation because of inappropriate sexual content, period. They're the crest of [the] culture crisis.”