Terri Lesley, a former librarian in Wyoming, unexpectedly found herself at the center of a contentious debate on free speech and book censorship that has engulfed libraries in the U.S. and Canada. After being terminated from her role as library system director in Campbell County, Wyoming, over a dispute involving books with 2SLGBTQ+ themes and sexual content, Lesley has received a $700,000 settlement in a lawsuit regarding her dismissal.
Expressing relief over the outcome, Lesley emphasized the importance of the settlement in allowing her community to move forward. She hopes that individuals advocating against library materials and the First Amendment’s right to free speech take note of the resolution as a deterrent.
Lesley’s lawsuit contends that her termination, after nearly two decades of service, stemmed from her refusal to censor or restrict books with 2SLGBTQ+ content in Gillette, Wyoming. Despite the county’s denial of Lesley’s allegations, citing performance-related reasons for her dismissal, the settlement reached is not an admission of guilt, according to a statement from Campbell County’s insurance company’s attorney.
While Lesley dropped her lawsuit as part of the settlement agreement, a separate legal action against three individuals who opposed the books will continue. The controversy that led to her firing began when the library’s public relations coordinator posted about the 2SLBGTQ+ collection on Facebook during Pride month in 2021, triggering a surge in complaints and book challenges throughout the year.
Numerous titles, including works like “This Book is Gay” by Juno Dawson and “How Do You Make a Baby” by Anna Fiske, faced objections primarily due to their sexual nature and LGBTQ+ themes, particularly in the young adult section. Lesley highlighted the underlying anti-LGBTQ sentiment among community members who opposed these books, leading to a significant increase in challenges.
Facing the backlash, Lesley adopted an educational approach to help the community understand the role of public libraries and the diversity of materials they offer. Despite encountering negativity and false allegations, she stood firm in defending freedom of expression, leading to her recognition with the John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award by the American Library Association in 2022.
Lesley’s case is part of a broader trend of increasing book challenges and censorship efforts in libraries across the U.S. and Canada. The surge in book challenges, particularly targeting LGBTQ+ content and themes related to race and social justice, has raised concerns about the erosion of free expression and access to diverse literary works.
Firmly believing in the importance of upholding the First Amendment and combating discrimination, Lesley’s legal team hopes that her settlement sets a precedent for protecting constitutional rights in public institutions and reinforces the values of inclusivity and diversity in library collections.
