JACKSON, Wyo. — On Jan. 9, the Teton County Library (TCL) Board voted unanimously to adopt a Book Sanctuary Resolution and to sign a Declaration of Democracy, two measures being taken by libraries across the country to preserve and foster intellectual freedom and its role in democracy, according to the Board.
The resolution references Article 1, Section 20 of the Wyoming Constitution, which states in part that “every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects.” It also references Article 1, Section 7 of the Wyoming Constitution, which states “absolute, arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority.”
In his report to the Board, TCL Director Kip Roberson cited the increasing number of book bans throughout the U.S. Robertson noted that “books celebrating different perspectives — in particular books that reflect marginalized voices — have been specific targets for removal from library collections.”
“I’m not saying that we’ll be doing anything markedly different by passing this resolution,” Robertson said via press release. “We’re simply reminding folks that our core values are democratic in nature, and that intellectual freedom — to freely access the information we each seek, including the freedom to choose our own reading material — is one of our guiding principles.”
Robertson also pointed out the increase nationally in proposed legislation to control libraries’ collections and the professional work of librarians.
According to TCL, the first eight months of 2024 saw 1,128 unique book titles being challenged with the vast majority being challenged in public libraries.
In 2022, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) started a book sanctuary movement. During Banned Books Week in September, CPL declared every one of its libraries to be a book sanctuary. In response, the City of Chicago declared the entire city a book sanctuary. As of September 2024, there were more than 4,000 declared book sanctuaries in the U.S., according to TCL.
“By becoming a book sanctuary, Teton County Library commits to protecting challenged books by making them accessible, and hosting book talks, events and conversations about diverse characters and stories and educating others on the history of book banning and burning,” TCL said.
TCL’s resolution and declaration reside on the library website, along with a 2021 resolution in support of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement.
