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Board discusses outreach to legislators after last session’s bills and staff harassment
Summary
The director described broad, controversial proposed legislation from the prior session and recounted abusive comments and threats directed at library staff; the board supported outreach inviting legislators (including Bethany Soye and John Hansen) to visit the library before the next legislative session.
The Library Director recounted experiences from the prior legislative session and a recent multi-state conference, telling the board that proposed bills had been broad and caused confusion among local libraries.
She described abusive interactions from some legislators and community members during the last session and said staff had received severe verbal attacks: "you deserve, like, to die you deserve to die. Like, you should be shot," the director reported, saying those comments were made to staff in public forums and online and had a serious emotional impact on her team. The director and board members discussed whether and how to engage legislators directly and agreed that inviting local legislators to tour the library and meet staff could improve mutual understanding before the next session.
The director said she plans to reach out to local representatives, including John Hansen and others, and to attempt contact with Bethany Soye, the sponsor identified with prior legislation, to open a dialogue about how libraries operate and about existing policies and protections.
Board members emphasized staff wellbeing and suggested brainstorming concrete ways to show support for librarians during difficult periods. The director said an improved, collaborative tone at future legislative engagement was a key takeaway from regional colleagues.
