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Agenda Item
14. Recommendation to appoint two candidates from a pool of applicants including: Shauna Adams, Danielle Anders, Ron Aryel, Katherine Ayzengart, Kim Barghouti, Paula L. Berkley, Jessica Brown, Andrea Caldwell, Wendy Colborne, Kate Crist, Reva Crump, Grace Davis, Heather Drew, Robert Ellis, Brian Erbis, Maria Flores, Mel Grotberg, Erica Hall, Wayne Holland, Gianna M. Jacks, Valieria T. Koss, Patricia Kress, Sara Marcus, Robbie Maus, Virginia A. Nolte, Patricia Olmstead, Linda Park, Janice Porter-Moffitt, William R. Puchert, Sharon Reardon, Marie Rodriguez, Tami Ruf, Hagen Sandoval, Linda K. Schmitt, Roger Scime, Ann D. Silver, William Sims, Brad M. Stanley, Ryan Stark, Susan Steig, Andre Stigall, Geraldine F. Taylor, Owen Truesdell, CJ J. Walters, Charles Wellington II, Thomas C. Willadsen, Sylvia Willard, Nadienne Williams, Sara Zober, and Benjamin Zober to fill one midterm vacancy on the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees pursuant to NRS 379.020(3) beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on June 30, 2026, and to fill one full-term vacancy on the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees pursuant to NRS 379.020(3) beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on June 30, 2027. Library. (All Commission Districts.) FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Hello Distinguished Commissioners,
I am writing to vehemently oppose the appointment of ANY volunteer candidate who comes with an agenda of violating the 1st amendment-especially these 4 candidates-to the Washoe Co. Library Board: Reva Crump, Linda Park, Susan Steig, Patty Kress. They are members of a vocal MINORITY Bible group called “The Community Impact Team” (modeled after “Moms for Liberty”). They circulated a petition online, using social media sites, to promote their “volunteers” to the library board, with an agenda of “removing” (banning) books that THEY consider “pornographic” in PUBLIC libraries. Reva Crump made these statements on Sept. 9th on the Nextdoor App under the name Bruce Parks (so that her name is not searchable-however I took screenshots):
“ We are in the process of reading the books thereby verifying which are objectionable and which are not. We are using the Miller Test to define as such. Would you like to help us in evaluating the list of books we have managed to compile? Readers are indeed needed.
(This is Reva, not Bruce.)” and “ We are about half way through a 160+ list of books.” What?! BTW- The Miller Test includes evaluating a book as a whole, not just the salacious EXCERPTS, which is how they do, in fact, intend to evaluate books; by cherry-picking excerpts.
Indeed, she/the 4 volunteer candidates have already decided on some specific books to ban:
“It includes "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl. Did you want me to msg you excerpts from this book? (This is Reva, not Bruce.)”
This is a YA book with a teenage boy as the protagonist- and you tell me, what is it normal for teenage boys to think/obsess about?
I called her out: “ Reva Crump, (who is Bruce Parks?) | noticed that you are one of the "volunteers" being promoted by the "Community Impact" group's petition to be appointed to the Library Board next week. Why don't you get your own Nextdoor account for this self-promotion?” (No response)
Most neighbors who commented pushed back, pointing out that it is parents’ responsibility to choose/monitor/approve of what THEIR CHILDREN read. I agree. This is a slippery slope-next they will ban music CDs, films (DVDs) etc. that they deem “pornographic”.
Thank you for your time,
Claudia B.
Dear Washoe County Commissioners,
I concur with what Bri said. Please select someone who will be dedicated to maintaining diversity and inclusion efforts. Libraries are meant to be a safe space for all. When we begin to ban books or diversity programming, we remove that safe space. Washoe County is diverse, and our libraries should reflect that diversity.
I support Tami Ruf because I understand she will be dedicated to continuing to maintain diversity and inclusion efforts.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
My name is Bri Schmidt. I am a life long resident of Washoe County and avid user of our library system. I'm writing on behalf of both myself and Silver State Equality, a statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. I implore the Board of County Commissioners to select an appointee who will continue the good work set forth in our libraries and will be dedicated to maintaining diversity and inclusion efforts across the board. Libraries are meant to be a safe space for all. When we begin to ban books or diversity programming, we remove that safe space. The library continues to do well in the modern day because of it's inclusion efforts. Washoe County is diverse, and our libraries should reflect that diversity. Thank you for your time and consideration of all of these candidates.
Thank you for allowing me to address you today. My name is Susan Stieg and I want to state why I would like to be on the Library Advisory Board.
I have multiple years of experience working at an elementary school in San Jose California. I was the librarian at VCS for four years. During that time, I was responsible in selecting materials for that library. In addition, I was responsible for the data entry system, which was Follet, to bring the facility online. Also, the funding activities came under my employment description.
I am now retired living here in Reno and have grandchildren in the Washoe county school system. I currently volunteer at Van Gorder Elementary school assisting in the library with shelving, processing and covering the new items.
I believe I would be an asset to the board and would contribute fair and equitable opinions. (No partiality or favoritism to any particular group) I am not in favor of censorship of materials offered at our libraries, however I do not support allowing special interest groups preferential access. All groups should be allowed to read or present respective materials.
I also believe that there should be standards in each library and would encourage the segregation of inappropriate material to our children, ages 3- 17, who are unable to critically evaluate literature that should be for adults only.
Why should I be chosen to join the Library Advisory board?
- I would encourage the advisory board to equalize all special interest groups and to use libraries as a forum for educational material but not social change.
- I see the board team as a resource to assist and inform the county commissioners to make decisions that reflect all the various opinions of a diverse society.
Thank You. I look forward to serving should you select me for one of these 2 positions
I am writing in support of candidate, Tami Ruf. As a retired teacher and high school librarian for Washoe County School District, she would bring wisdom, thoughtfulness, and critical lens to this board. She understands the practical dynamics of putting books on the shelf that serve every patron. She also deeply understands that access to books should not be politicized. Libraries are all about putting books in the hands of patrons. As an avid reader a thoughtful woman, Tami would be a fair, honest, and knowledgeable addition to the Board.
Tami Ruf- Support for Library Board of Trustees
Tami has a deep understanding of and commitment to our library system. She has the professional background, work ethic and the temperament to make a positive contribution to the BOD and the community members who care about/engage with our library system.
Hello Distinguished Commissioners,
I am writing to vehemently oppose the appointment of ANY volunteer candidate who comes with an agenda of violating the 1st amendment-especially these 4 candidates-to the Washoe Co. Library Board: Reva Crump, Linda Park, Susan Steig, Patty Kress. They are members of a vocal MINORITY Bible group called “The Community Impact Team” (modeled after “Moms for Liberty”). They circulated a petition online, using social media sites, to promote their “volunteers” to the library board, with an agenda of “removing” (banning) books that THEY consider “pornographic” in PUBLIC libraries. Reva Crump made these statements on Sept. 9th on the Nextdoor App under the name Bruce Parks (so that her name is not searchable-however I took screenshots):
“ We are in the process of reading the books thereby verifying which are objectionable and which are not. We are using the Miller Test to define as such. Would you like to help us in evaluating the list of books we have managed to compile? Readers are indeed needed.
(This is Reva, not Bruce.)” and “ We are about half way through a 160+ list of books.” What?! BTW- The Miller Test includes evaluating a book as a whole, not just the salacious EXCERPTS, which is how they do, in fact, intend to evaluate books; by cherry-picking excerpts.
Indeed, she/the 4 volunteer candidates have already decided on some specific books to ban:
“It includes "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl. Did you want me to msg you excerpts from this book? (This is Reva, not Bruce.)”
This is a YA book with a teenage boy as the protagonist- and you tell me, what is it normal for teenage boys to think/obsess about?
I called her out: “ Reva Crump, (who is Bruce Parks?) | noticed that you are one of the "volunteers" being promoted by the "Community Impact" group's petition to be appointed to the Library Board next week. Why don't you get your own Nextdoor account for this self-promotion?” (No response)
Most neighbors who commented pushed back, pointing out that it is parents’ responsibility to choose/monitor/approve of what THEIR CHILDREN read. I agree. This is a slippery slope-next they will ban music CDs, films (DVDs) etc. that they deem “pornographic”.
Thank you for your time,
Claudia B.
Dear Washoe County Commissioners,
I concur with what Bri said. Please select someone who will be dedicated to maintaining diversity and inclusion efforts. Libraries are meant to be a safe space for all. When we begin to ban books or diversity programming, we remove that safe space. Washoe County is diverse, and our libraries should reflect that diversity.
I support Tami Ruf because I understand she will be dedicated to continuing to maintain diversity and inclusion efforts.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
My name is Bri Schmidt. I am a life long resident of Washoe County and avid user of our library system. I'm writing on behalf of both myself and Silver State Equality, a statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. I implore the Board of County Commissioners to select an appointee who will continue the good work set forth in our libraries and will be dedicated to maintaining diversity and inclusion efforts across the board. Libraries are meant to be a safe space for all. When we begin to ban books or diversity programming, we remove that safe space. The library continues to do well in the modern day because of it's inclusion efforts. Washoe County is diverse, and our libraries should reflect that diversity. Thank you for your time and consideration of all of these candidates.
Thank you for allowing me to address you today. My name is Susan Stieg and I want to state why I would like to be on the Library Advisory Board.
I have multiple years of experience working at an elementary school in San Jose California. I was the librarian at VCS for four years. During that time, I was responsible in selecting materials for that library. In addition, I was responsible for the data entry system, which was Follet, to bring the facility online. Also, the funding activities came under my employment description.
I am now retired living here in Reno and have grandchildren in the Washoe county school system. I currently volunteer at Van Gorder Elementary school assisting in the library with shelving, processing and covering the new items.
I believe I would be an asset to the board and would contribute fair and equitable opinions. (No partiality or favoritism to any particular group) I am not in favor of censorship of materials offered at our libraries, however I do not support allowing special interest groups preferential access. All groups should be allowed to read or present respective materials.
I also believe that there should be standards in each library and would encourage the segregation of inappropriate material to our children, ages 3- 17, who are unable to critically evaluate literature that should be for adults only.
Why should I be chosen to join the Library Advisory board?
- I would encourage the advisory board to equalize all special interest groups and to use libraries as a forum for educational material but not social change.
- I see the board team as a resource to assist and inform the county commissioners to make decisions that reflect all the various opinions of a diverse society.
Thank You. I look forward to serving should you select me for one of these 2 positions
I am writing in support of candidate, Tami Ruf. As a retired teacher and high school librarian for Washoe County School District, she would bring wisdom, thoughtfulness, and critical lens to this board. She understands the practical dynamics of putting books on the shelf that serve every patron. She also deeply understands that access to books should not be politicized. Libraries are all about putting books in the hands of patrons. As an avid reader a thoughtful woman, Tami would be a fair, honest, and knowledgeable addition to the Board.
Tami Ruf- Support for Library Board of Trustees
Tami has a deep understanding of and commitment to our library system. She has the professional background, work ethic and the temperament to make a positive contribution to the BOD and the community members who care about/engage with our library system.