Oct. 9, 2025
The New York Times article (and subsequent reporting) concerns the settlement of a lawsuit filed by Terri Lesley, the former library system director of the Campbell County Public Library in Gillette, Wyoming, who was fired amid a dispute over book censorship.
key points:
Settlement and Legal Background
Settlement Amount: Terri Lesley will receive a $700,000 settlement from Campbell County officials.
Context of Firing: Lesley was fired in 2023 after a multi-year dispute over her refusal to remove or restrict access to books, primarily those with LGBTQ+ themes and sexual health content, from the library's youth sections.
Lawsuit Claim: Lesley's federal lawsuit alleged that her dismissal was in retaliation for upholding First Amendment rights (intellectual freedom and access to information) and resisting censorship. The county, while agreeing to the settlement, denied her claims, stating her termination was due to performance issues.
Vindication: Lesley stated she feels "vindicated" by the outcome, and her attorney expressed hope that the settlement sends a message to other public institutions about their constitutional obligations regarding free speech and discrimination.
Ongoing Case: While the settlement drops the lawsuit against the county and its entities, a separate lawsuit Lesley filed against three individuals who actively challenged the books remains ongoing.
Books and Controversy
The controversy in the conservative county began around 2021 when community members objected to several titles on the youth shelves, including:
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
Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy by Andrew P. Smiler
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