The Washoe County Library System had a tumultuous 2023, with right-wing organizers bringing people out to complain about drag queen story hour and books with LGBTQ+ and diversity-related themes.
As 2024 begins, it appears that allies of those organizers have taken control of the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees—and Jeff Scott, the director of the Washoe County Library System, is in a fight to keep his job.
Here’s how the Library Board got to where it is today.
‘Fresh blood’
In July, the Washoe County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 against re-appointing then-Washoe County Library Board of Trustees Chair Amy Ghilieri to another term. The two Democrats on the board voted in favor of reappointing Ghilieri; the three Republicans voted against her.
The decision came amid tension between the Library Board and a group of right-wing protesters who regularly attend meetings to express their vehement opposition to drag queen story hours and books—often dealing with LGBTQ+ themes or themes of diversity—they deem inappropriate for Washoe County school libraries and the young adult sections of Washoe County’s public libraries. These complaints are often accompanied by calls for the removal of Library Director Jeff Scott.
“I fell on the wrong side of politics,” Ghilieri said about the commission’s decision. “… Rather than stand up for marginalized communities, it was easier for (the commission) to avoid all of that and give the censors what they want.”
Some spoke up for Ghilieri. “She is an educator who believes in free and public access to books, books that reflect our community—all of our community,” said County Commissioner Mariluz Garcia.
Others opposed her. “This particular board has been a real polarizing situation in the community,” said County Commissioner Michael Clark. “I think we need some fresh blood. … I am absolutely adamantly opposed to reappointing somebody who has caused such a stir in the community.”
Frequent library critic Cliff Nellis commented: “There’s a lot of books that need to be taken out of the library that promote the homosexual point of view and transgenderism.” He blamed the presence of these materials on Ghilieri and Scott. “We need fresh blood so that they can vote (Scott) out of being the library board director,” said Nellis.
It is not in the purview of the Library Board of Trustees to decide on programming or content. Debi Stears, the collection development manager, oversees the book-procurement process, while Scott is ultimately responsible for the continuation of drag queen story hour. While Stears has union rights as part of the Washoe County Employee Association, Scott’s tenure is determined by the Library Board.
The Washoe County Library System has hosted drag queen story hour programs in an effort to foster inclusivity in the community. The popular, family-friendly event is not funded by tax dollars but by Our Center, a nonprofit that supports and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Nevada.
The national trend
The Washoe County Library System is far from alone in dealing with these types of controversies.
The American Library Association reports that 2022 saw the highest number of attempted book bans since it began compiling library censorship data more than 20 years ago—and the preliminary 2023 numbers are even higher. This summer, state libraries in Montana, Missouri and Texas announced they would be severing ties with the ALA, while Republican legislators in at least nine others are seeking to do the same. Nationally, protests of drag queen story hour events by conservative and far-right groups have escalated to threats of public violence. Many of the book titles protested in Washoe County are on the ALA’s list of the 13 most frequently challenged books of 2022.
Stears said there has not been a notable increase in book complaints made through the Washoe County Library System’s formal challenge process—which can entail calling for the book to be relocated, restricted or removed. She did say one of the challenges asked for the removal of 13 books.
“The library really stands for representing all voices in the community,” said Stears. “Sometimes there are voices that folks don’t necessarily want represented, or at least don’t want their kids to have access to. … It is every parent’s right to decide what’s appropriate for their child. We in the library don’t want to interfere in that at all.”
“When we reject queer identities, when we prevent people from seeing themselves in their communities, kids die.”
Allen Ratliff, assistant professor at the UNR School of Social Work
At the Dec. 20 Library Board meeting, Allen Ratliff, a therapist and assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno, explained why it is important for the library system to continue to host drag queen story hour events and keep LGBTQ+ content freely available. Ratliff’s research focuses on the harm that may be caused to queer and trans children as a result of decisions made by parents and other authority figures.
“Queer and transgender kids have the highest rates of suicide of any known group of young people … and of these, rates are directly correlated with stigma and rejection,” Ratliff said. … “We know that when queer and trans kids are affirmed and acknowledged and included … they don’t have high rates of suicide anymore. When queer and trans kids are made invisible, they die. When we reject queer identities, when we prevent people from seeing themselves in their communities, kids die.”
Meet Gianna Jacks
In September, the Washoe County Commission appointed two new members to the Library Board of Trustees to replace Ghilieri and Ann Medaille (who had resigned from the board): Ann Silver, the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce CEO, and Gianna Jacks.
Jacks’ biography on the library website says: “Gianna worked in real estate for 18 years and was in the United States Navy Reserves for eight years. Gianna is originally from Southern California in the San Fernando Valley, and has explored under the ocean from San Diego to Ventura as a PADI Master Dive Instructor. She’s a former Regional Toastmaster Champion and owned a coffee food truck before moving to Incline Village then Carson City and Reno, and has been a Nevadan ever since. Gianna and her husband own a local tax and business consulting company. Gianna’s hobbies include reading books, hugging trees, and hiding the TV remote from their three home-schooled children.”
While Jacks has not publicly stated a political affiliation—Washoe County voter records list her as “non-partisan”—she quickly garnered an enthusiastic base of supporters affiliated with far-right-wing groups.
Schayden Gorai, a local representative of conservative action organization Turning Point Action, posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sept. 21, “ONE STEP CLOSER … The appointment of Trustee Gianna Jacks … signifies a pivotal moment for our children and a shift in direction for our Library Board.”
On Oct. 15, he shared on X a flier circulated by Jacks inviting community members to join her for a weekly meeting at Swill Coffee and Wine to share thoughts and concerns regarding the library system. “Our Library Board Trustee Gianna Jacks is officially MAKING IT HAPPEN,” Gorai wrote in an accompanying post. “… It’s crucial for us to show up and show out for our lone soldier as she fights everyday for our libraries and our children! Conservatives need to support conservatives, especially when they are standing alone fighting for good in a room full of evil!”
The RN&R attempted to contact Gorai, but he did not respond.
In a November interview, the RN&R asked Jacks why this right-wing coalition had expressed such impassioned support, despite her lack of public promises to represent their interests. Jacks said she was not sure.
“I had no idea that they would take to me saying that the library should be neutral and that I have three homeschool kids, and I believe in looking out for the kids,” she said. “… So I don’t know how they all just kind of embraced me. I just don’t have anybody else coming forward to embrace me. I would love to hear from lots of other groups.”
When asked about her feelings toward drag queen story hour events, Jacks said she had “no opinion either way.” However, as time went on, she started offering hints about her leanings.
At her first meeting as a trustee, on Oct. 18, Jacks, ran against Lea Moser and Al Rogers to become the board’s vice chair—and won, in a 3-1 vote. Washoe County Republican Party Chair Bruce Parks criticized Moser for a lack of leadership and commended Jacks for her community outreach efforts, stating: “We need fresh blood. We need fresh thoughts and ideas.”
At her coffee meeting on Oct. 19 at Swill (hosted by Jacks personally), when Parks complained about Reno’s homeless population using the library, Jacks suggested implementing a system of identification requirements to enter the libraries.
On Dec. 1, Jacks appeared on Nevada Radio Roundup alongside Nichelle Hull of Wake Up Washoe County and Nicholas St. Jon of the Washoe Patriots. Hull shared information about a petition for the removal of select titles from local middle and high school libraries, as well as from the young adult sections of Washoe County Libraries. These titles include All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, Crank by Ellen Hopkins and Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews, which rank among the top 13 most challenged books of 2022.
After Hull called these titles “pornographic,” Jacks encouraged community members to speak up at library board meetings and directed listeners to Hull’s website.
A proposed bylaws change
At the Nov. 15 Library Board meeting at the North Valleys Library, speakers again complained about library content and drag queen story hour, accused Scott of failing in his duties—and called for his removal at his annual performance evaluation, which was scheduled for the Dec. 20 meeting.
“The LGB community seeks to normalize their lifestyle even though it’s dangerous and unhealthy.”
Val White, at the Nov. 15 Library Board meeting
“The LGB community seeks to normalize their lifestyle, even though it’s dangerous and unhealthy,” said Val White. “Drag story hour … is a friendly way of destroying the sexual and behavioral norms of children at their early ages. … It’s time for director Jeff Scott to hit the road.”
An increased number of public commenters also showed up to voice their support for LGBTQ+ content and programming. This included parents and many members of Indivisible Northern Nevada, a group whose stated aim is to defend inclusive values. Members wore shirts that read “decisions are made by those who show up.”
Jacks delivered fresh ideas in short order, proposing bylaw revisions that would render the role of the library director less central in board proceedings—and give the Library Board the power to remove the library director.
“There’s no provision that allows this board to dismiss a library director … which is in some bylaws of these adjacent counties,” Jacks said. (While the bylaws may not have such a provision, the Library Board already has that power per Nevada law.)
On the recommendation of Washoe County Deputy District Attorney Herbert Kaplan, the proposed bylaw revisions were tabled for a future meeting.
The Reno News & Review asked to talk to Jacks regarding the proposed bylaw changes; she declined our request
Drama on Dec. 20
The Dec. 20 library board meeting garnered an enormous turnout: Almost 150 people crowded into the Downtown Reno Library’s second floor in anticipation of the meeting that would include Scott’s annual performance evaluation.
Those speaking in support of Scott—as well as drag queen story hour and wider access to book titles—vastly outnumbered those speaking against them. Reno resident Willie Puchert told the Reno News & Review that he reached out to local progressive groups including Indivisible Northern Nevada, Our Center and The Radical Cat bookstore, which in turn rallied community members and LGBTQ+ civil rights groups such as Silver State Equality.
The meeting’s initial public-comment section lasted more than 3 1/2 hours.
Stacey Spain, executive director of Our Center, said: “I support the drag story program because it is literary-based and inclusive.” Of the program and library content, Spain said: “It’s important for us to have inclusive books and a worldview that includes a broad cross section of people who come through the library every day.”
Allen Ratliff said: “Books with queer characters saved my life. … Libraries have the power to keep queer and trans kids safe.”
On the other side, Nichelle Hull presented a list of 14 books that she said Washoe County residents judged to be “completely unacceptable for children” because they include “acts of rape, sexual assault, pedophilia … and then finally group sex between teenagers while using methamphetamine,” which she said occurs in Crank.
“Debi Stears needs to go. Jeff Scott needs to go,” said Hull.
“Anyone who would call for Jeff Scott’s resignation does not know what is best for our libraries and our communities.”
Stacy McKenzie, assistant library director, on Dec. 20
Ahead of Scott’s evaluation, library employees expressed their support. They said he has been supportive of staff and described the ways in which the library system has flourished under his direction, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stears listed Scott’s accomplishments, including the expansion of services to underserved communities through the implementation of book kiosks, a delivery service for homebound residents, and a bookmobile to serve rural residents. Stears also said Scott expanded the materials budget and accessed special e-rate funding in order to provide remote corners of Washoe County, like Gerlach, with internet access.
Stacy McKenzie, assistant library director of Washoe County, said: “Anyone who would call for Jeff Scott’s resignation does not know what is best for our libraries and our communities.”
Four of the five trustees participated in Scott’s evaluation, according to Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro. Two trustees felt that Scott had met or exceeded their expectations, while two trustees felt he had performed below their expectations.
One trustee anonymously said that “Jeff has created controversy and needs to understand how to negotiate his way through it with grace and dignity rather than anger,” while another said: “I have repeatedly asked for various materials, answers, and agenda items and my requests have been stonewalled or disregarded entirely. Director Scott appears to feel unaccountable to the trustees.”
After a failed motion to table a vote on Scott’s review, Jacks made a motion to remove Scott as library director.
“With the information received today and based on my new, albeit educated and informed, process of my responsibility, I would be shirking my duties as trustee … not to suggest Mr. Scott’s voluntary resignation,” Jacks said. “… I move that we fire Mr. Scott immediately.”
“The display tonight has pitted neighbor against neighbor, and that is truly sad to see.”
Gianna Jacks
It was unclear what information she was referencing.
The motion ultimately failed. Deputy District Attorney Kaplan said that there was “no basis for an action to terminate or discuss termination based on the way the item is agendized.” In the audience, Bruce Parks shouted that he would be filing a lawsuit, and security was called to escort him out of the library.
During final board comments, Jacks read what appeared to be a pre-prepared statement, and accused Scott of hiding financial expenditures from the board; she did not elaborate on the allegations. She also expressed frustrations that “the display tonight has pitted neighbor against neighbor, and that is truly sad to see.”
The new chair
On Dec. 21, the day after the contentious meeting, Frank Perez submitted his resignation as chair of the Washoe County Library Board.
In an internal email obtained by the RN&R, Perez told the library director and board of trustees that “it has been an incredible honor to serve the trustees and the library system. … Over the past few months, I have been asked by members of the community to step up and run for Reno City Council. Running for office is not an easy task and will require all my energies that are presently occupied with this board and other boards.”
Perez thanked Scott for his professionalism during his years on the board and added: “I want to be clear this is not a result of yesterday’s meeting, as I have sat through many similar type meetings for over a year.”
With Perez’s resignation, Gianna Jacks is now the chair of the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees.
gianna jacks should resign in shame. her actions are outright malicious towards the library board, towards the lives of the people of washoe county, and towards freedom
her christian cult is a shameful joke
Of course, in the name of inclusion and diversity, there was also a lecture series by conservatives. Just kidding. But there was not, even though a large percentage of Washoe County is right of center. The problem is that progressives want freedom of speech for themselves, but are actually quite Fascistic about speech for anyone they disagree with. It would seem that if progressive ideas were so powerful, they would triumph in a marketplace of open discussion. And to be clear, I’m a former resident of San Francisco and could care less about the sexual orientation of anyone, so forget the ad hominem attacks that progressives specialize in.
Couldn’t agree more, Jennifer. It’s bad enough that these reactionaries go after accepted books in our schools, but now they come after the wider community’s books. Reactionary and shameful.
The board of book banners is already on task. One of the books I requested (and still on the wait list) by Sarah McBride has disappeared from the library system. Where did it go? Did they burn it already? It won’t be long before every LGBTQ book is gone from their system if they stay in power.
Also, Reno News & Review needs to direct any extra copies of this month’s edition to each and every library and place them at the counter, not at the entrance. I have saved a few stacks from the trash can.
Parents have the right to protect their children from being programmed by any material, that goes against their belief. That’s what America is about.
What is important is that kids learn to respect anyone with different gender. They don’t need to learn about their intimate preferences.
Knowing someone else intimacy will not help them in school.
Queer and trans children? That’s politically motivated in order to fabricate as many children who have not attained puberty and decide.
If children knew that much, why do they have parents to protect them???
Most high schooler can’t even figure out what career they would like to get into.
Somehow, when I asked to teach a foreign language for free at the same library. I was denied 🙅♀️. Because it would further my business.
Incredible!
Thank you for reading.