Last week’s Literary Activism post spoke at length about the importance of speaking up and out about legislation that directly impacts libraries–whether or not your library will be the target. Specifically, it was surprising that, despite hours of research and outreach to dozens of library professionals nationwide, there were no examples of public library boards, friends of the library, or library foundation groups writing letters to the editor and/or informing their communities about the impact of House Resolution 7661. The bill, which would impose a nationwide book ban in public schools, has advanced to the House for consideration.*
While it would not target public libraries, HR 7661 would have a tremendous impact on them both directly and indirectly. Not seeing public libraries standing up for their school library counterparts was surprising. To be clear, the advocacy may be out there; it’s likely there is suppression in the algorithm and/or posting on social sites, which isn’t as easy to pull up in web searches.
But as last week’s Literary Activism piece was being finalized, I received a note about a public library board issuing a statement opposing HR 7661. It wasn’t going to have final approval until Thursday evening, but I knew I wanted to share it as far and as wide as possible when approval came.
Meet the Teton County Library. Located in Jackson, Wyoming, the library’s Board of Directors has written and distributed an outstanding example of library advocacy to their community (and beyond!). It’s a letter that will help educate the community about the impact of a bill like HR 7661 in a way that is easily replicable in so many other libraries. With permission of the library director, Kip Roberson, you’ll find the full letter printed below. It will be available on the library’s website, and the library intends to issue a press release about this to both spread the word within the community and encourage others to issue similar statements.
This is a stellar example of what those associated with libraries–library boards, friends groups, foundations, etc.–can do to support their local and less-local public institutions of democracy and civic engagement.
Literary Activism
News you can use plus tips and tools for the fight against censorship and other bookish activism!
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TETON COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RESOLUTION No. 2026 –
RESOLUTION OPPOSING H.R.7661 – STOP THE SEXUALIZATION OF CHILDREN
The Teton County Library Board of Directors serves the residents of Teton County, Wyoming, a community that values education, open inquiry, and the freedom to access information. Teton County Library works in partnership with local schools, families, and community organizations to support literacy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
While H.R. 7661 is directed toward school libraries, its implications extend far beyond those institutions. The bill threatens foundational principles that matter deeply to Teton County: local control over education, the professional judgment of educators and librarians, and the right of families to determine what is appropriate for their own children.
H.R. 7661 proposes denying long-standing federal education funding – promised under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 – from any school that provides materials or programs for minors containing vaguely defined “sexually oriented material.” As detailed by the American Library Association, the bill’s sweeping and unclear definitions could force schools to remove legitimate educational content such as fine art, history lessons, dance, literature, court cases, and even state and national symbols.
Teton County residents consistently demonstrate strong support for high-quality public education and well-resourced libraries. Our community includes families, educators, and students who expect school libraries to offer accurate, age-appropriate, and diverse materials. The one-size-fits-all approach of H.R. 7661 does not reflect the needs or values of Teton County. The educational needs of seventeen-year-olds are vastly different from the educational needs of kindergarteners and H.R. 7661 undermines the ability of local high school students – many preparing for college, apprenticeships, or civic participation – to access the materials necessary for informed, responsible adulthood.
Wyoming has long upheld the principle of local control in education. Decisions about what materials best serve our students should remain in the hands of Teton County educators, librarians, families, and elected school boards—not federal officials in Washington, D.C.
Courts around the country have reaffirmed that students retain constitutional rights in school and that censorship based on viewpoint is unlawful. H.R. 7661 would expose school districts to unnecessary legal risk and divert attention away from the pressing literacy and learning needs of our children – needs that Teton County educators work tirelessly to meet.
Teton County’s public library workers stand with our school librarians and paraprofessionals in supporting intellectual freedom, educational excellence, and the freedom for families to guide their own children’s reading. For these reasons, the Teton County Library Board of Directors opposes H.R. 7661 and supports federal legislation, such as the Right to Read Act (H.R. 6440 / S. 3365), that strengthens school libraries and expands access to educational resources.
The Board encourages Teton County residents to stay informed, to engage in community discussions, and to support organizations that defend the freedom to read, including Unite Against Book Bans.
Adopted on this 21st day of May 2026.
Marylee White, Chair Elisabeth Rohrbach, Secretary
Teton County Library Board of Directors Teton County Library Board of Directors
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*Note that in the week between the drafting of the above-linked Literary Activism newsletter and the approval of the statement by the Teton County Library Board, another federal-level censorship bill has progressed forward, House Resolution 2616. It would make sense to include HR 2616 as part of library advocacy letters, perhaps even more urgently than HR 7661, going forward.