Open letter to the Campbell County Library Board

The library should be a place where individuals can access a wide range of ideas, opinions and perspectives, regardless of their personal beliefs or preferences. It is not the role of the library to censor or limit access to information based on ideology or political correctness.

I am concerned that recent decisions by the library board may be limiting this freedom. It is crucial that the library continues to provide resources and information that challenge and expand our understanding of the world, even if that information may be uncomfortable or controversial.

I urge the board to carefully consider the importance of intellectual freedom and free speech in our public library system. Please ensure that decisions about library resources and policies are made in accordance with these fundamental principles.

Using a questionable lawyer that is not licensed to practice in Wyoming is a huge red flag to me regarding Ms. Bear’s disregard to our Wyoming values and freedoms. This matter alone is grounds for Ms. Bear to step down from the board due to her poor judgement and risking Wyoming taxpayer dollars in national lawsuits. I am very disappointed in her leadership and will be campaigning to not have her on our board any longer.

Freedom and small government should be our number one priorities in Wyoming, without freedom, morals become dictated by government, no matter what side of an issue you are on, we can all agree that the government will never do what is right for the people.

As a parent to a 10- and 13-year-old, I don’t think our library has anything in it to be ashamed of. If there are any materials that I don’t want my children to see, I have plenty of options to exercise my parental rights. This board’s motivations appear to be political and are rewriting the collection policy to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.

Please get back to small government Wyoming values. Fascist policies for our public library will easily be undone by future boards and only serve to risk taxpayer dollars and continue the division and ugliness happening in our community. Do better.

Matt Heath

Campbell County