The Washoe County Library Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to end suspensions for two people who were banned from local libraries. They upheld a suspension of a First Amendment auditor and local business owner, Drew Ribar, however. 

The three appealed year-long bans from libraries stemming from the library’s June “Rainbow Fest.” A librarian said their actions at the event, held at the North Valleys library, traumatized library staff. Fred Myer, Sandee Tibbett and Drew Ribar were each banned for various reasons. The three have been outspoken against libraries for hosting Drag Queen Story Hour events and adult-themed books. 

Each denied wrongdoing, and Tibbett and Myer’s suspensions were ended after Wednesday’s meeting because trustees said there was not enough evidence to support the bans.

“The events of Rainbow Fest on June 15 this year, and the subsequent results were and are still traumatizing for our library staff that witnessed and were the targets of these library policy violations leading up to these events,” Assistant Library Director Stacy McKenzie told the trustees. 

“he blocked the doorway, violently pushing the door open and wedging his foot in the doorway.”

“Fred Myer engaged with a staff member about his religious views of the event, and one staff member refused to engage,” she added. “He continued to bombard her in a more and more aggressive nature, yelling inappropriate questions and comments at her.”

She said Ribar attempted to enter the library through a door that was opened only for parents with children attending Drag Queen Story Hour. He stuck his foot in the door, which injured a staff member who was trying to shut the door. 

Library staff said Ribar had been suspended before and was under suspension at the time of the incident.

“Ribar was aware, and was told many times at the library space closure, services were redirected and [were] available on the bookmobile at the event,” McKenzie added. “However, he still tried to force his way into the children’s program, taking advantage of a moment when an authorized staff member was exiting the building, he then blocked the doorway, violently pushing the door open and wedging his foot in the doorway.”

Tibbett was alleged to have traumatized children during Drag Queen Story Hour, which was being held within the libary.

“Sandee Tibbett brought children to the event to gain access inside, and once the event started, she and two others revealed insulting and child-inappropriate signage, including the logo of a known LGBTQ hate group, all under the guise of free speech,” McKenzie said. “Her disruption traumatized attendees of the event, including upsetting children and parents who came to the event to enjoy the inclusive programming in a safe place.”

Each received a one-year suspension and appealed their suspension to the board. They denied wrongdoing. 

Tibbett said she was not disruptive. “I moved to the back of the room when asked, and I cleared the aisle when staff demanded me to do so,” she said. “I spoke to no one unless spoken to, and never once did I put my sign over my head and block anyone’s view. Where’s your proof?” 

The board voted to end Tibbett’s suspension.

Trustee Tami Ruff said, “I do believe that there has been behavior that warrants the suspension. I think that immediately going to a year is what I’m stumbling upon here, because there isn’t [any] sort of a progressive discipline.”

Board Chair Ann Silver agreed and said she did not think the punishment fit the crime.

Ribar’s suspension was upheld, though, with trustees citing Ribar’s deliberate attempt to get into the library. He denied any wrongdoing, but he admitted to trying to get through the door.

“See you in court,” he said after all but one board member – Gianna Jacks – voted to uphold his suspension.

Myer demands suspension be removed

Myer also denied the allegations by library staff. North Valleys Library Branch Manager Jonica Bowen said he was told to leave the North Valleys library, he refused, and he was issued a trespass notice. She said Myer harassed her, prevented her from doing her job, and he repeatedly called her a pervert.

“We followed our established procedure for this event which was to, at that point, notify him of trespass for refusal to leave,” she said. “Anytime we’ve trespassed somebody in a Washoe County library branch, and they refuse to leave the premises, it becomes a 365 day suspension. I have done this with many individuals, unfortunately, when it’s gotten to that point. I did not see any issue with this being outside of regular procedure that’s normally followed by myself in the management of my branch.”

“I’m so disappointed in our board for their lack of support for the library staff and the librarians.”

Myer said none of what Bowen said was true, calling them “flat lies.” He said he only asked to use the bathroom in the library, was in “a place of public accomodation” – the shopping mall’s parking lot, outside the North Valleys library – and he said he never called anyone names.

“I was accused of saying things I didn’t say, acting in ways I didn’t act, and attempts were made to abridge my freedom of speech by Washoe County librarian Jonica Bowen, who subsequently filed a report full of false allegations that were proved false,” he wrote in an email after the board meeting. “Nothing happened with her and I that day. It is fantasy.”

After reviewing video of the incident, the board voted to reduce Myer’s suspension to end on Wednesday, citing lack of evidence that would support a year-long ban. Ruff said Myer’s behavior “did not feel terribly confrontational.”

Myer called for Bowen to be fired for what he said was making false statements about him. He also said he wants the suspension completely removed. 

Others were unhappy with the decisions to reduce the two suspensions. Library staff were crying at the meeting. 

“I’m so disappointed in our board for their lack of support for the library staff and the librarians,” said library supporter Cate Salim. “You had one board member act as a defense attorney for these people. Hardly anyone spoke up on behalf of the librarians, and that was wrong.” Salim was referring to Gianna Jacks.

The board is going to revise the library system’s suspension policy, which will be heard at a future meeting.

Board revises policy after complaint

The board directed the library’s policy committee to revisit the library’s events policy to add specific timelines for responding to program proposals. The move came after hearing an appeal from Bruce Parks, who is with the Washoe County Republicans. Parks said he submitted a proposal in May 2022 to give a presentation on the U.S. Constitution but did not receive a response for nearly a year.

“I was never contacted once about what the content of my presentation was going to entail or whether or not I’m actually qualified to do that,” Parks told the board.

Trustees expressed concern about the lengthy delay and lack of communication. Board Chair Silver said he was owed an apology. 

“We owe you a new policy. We owe the public a new policy,” she said.

The board voted unanimously to have the policy committee revise the events policy to include calendar specifics for responses to applicants.