The Mid-Continent Public Library system is one of the best library systems in the country--award winning and nationally recognized with staff who are dedicated public servants!

But our libraries are under attack by the very people who were appointed to protect them and uphold the Library Bill of Rights: its own Board of Trustees.

Most recently, board members Michelle Wycoff (Clay County), Yummy Pandolfi (Platte County), and Michael Lazio (Platte County, and board Vice President) expressed their contempt for a Banned Books Week display at the North Independence branch, and espoused pro-censorship views.

Banned Book Week has LONG been celebrated by the American Library Association as a way to celebrate the freedom to read -- which is essential to our democracy.

This ALONE demonstrates these trustees are oblivious to the purpose of libraries and should therefore not serve on the board. Unfortunately, the issue is worse than the trustees just being pro-censorship -- many of them are anti-inclusive and incredibly vocal about their homophobic and trans-phobic views.

In 2019 -- these same board members were responsible for shutting down an inclusive and educational piece of programming called Trans-101, with an aim to educate, provide information about transgender issues, and take questions from the public.

Trustee Rita Wiese has argued the library is no place for inclusive, LGBTQ+  programming, and even suggested such conversations sexual exploit children.

“A once safe community setting known as the public library has become a space that, in the guise of intellectual freedom, wants to change thinking on voyeurism and gender confusion, while promoting materials and programs that lead children toward being sexually exploited,” Wiese wrote in a letter to the Platte County Landmark.

This effort is organized by former and current employees of MCPL as well as members of the public. Help us keep our libraries free of censorship and a place for everyone!  WE NEED YOUR HELP!

By signing this petition, you're telling county commissioners who appoint these trustees (particularly in Clay and Platte County) that you want a board who upholds The Library Bill of Rights, keeps personal beliefs out of policy, and supports the purpose of libraries -- to provide free and open access to information for everyone in a place for everyone!

Our hope with this petition is to have these board members (Michelle Wycoff (Clay County), Yummy Pandolfi (Platte County), Michael Lazio (Platte County) and Rita Wiese (Platte County) removed by rescindment or resignation.

Replacing these trustees with actual public servants who believe in the purpose of libraries is vital to the health of our community!