Freedom to Read Nevada

The fight for freedom of information and secure funding for public libraries is not new. Check out our timeline to get up to speed.

2022

• June 2022 – Proud Boys show up with a gun to protest Drag Story Hour at the Sparks Library

2023

• July 2023 – Chair Amy Ghilieri not reappointed due to Drag Queen Story Hour controversy
• July 2023 – Library board loses two trustees (Amy Ghilieri and Ann Medaille) amid culture wars
• December 2023 – LBOT tried (unsuccessfully) to fire the director

2024

• June 2024 – Washoe County cancels DQSH due to violence from protestors
• April 2024 – Book bans rejected by Library Board
• June 2024 – LBOT chair tried to rewrite bylaws to consolidate power and delay new chair elections
• Oct 2024 – Campaigning for WC-1 continues to try and secure 30 years of funding
• Nov 2024 – WC-1 fails and Washoe Libraries face potential budget cuts of 4.5 million dollars
• Nov 2024 – More than 6,000 people sign a petition asking Washoe County to restore library funding

2025

• Feb 2025 – AB416 seeks to ban book bans in Nevada
• April 2025 – County Commission keeps library funding stable*
• April 2025 – library director resigned following a negative evaluation from the LBOT
• June 2025 – Governor vetoes AB416
• July 2025 – LBOT finally begins search for new director
• August 2025 – Budget update: 3 possible options, including county-requested 2.5 million dollar cut

* – Washoe County offered $1.3M from the general fund to balance the library budget. However, the LBOT did not accept these funds and they were set aside to be requested if needed.