Help Janis Uphold Library Freedom and Openness

Janis Hagen, a dedicated volunteer trustee for the Christian County Library District, is incurring legal expenses as she takes a stand against censorship in public libraries. This fight is not just her own—it’s a battle that affects us all, as it challenges the freedom to access diverse ideas and information.

Janis filed a lawsuit in September against three fellow trustees who have pushed for the removal, labeling, or restriction of books they personally find objectionable. These books include stories with LGBTQ+ themes, depictions of nontraditional family structures, and materials explaining human anatomy and sexuality. Janis alleges that these trustees violated the board's bylaws when they voted in a new slate of officers, seemingly to oust the sitting president. This president, who valiantly fought for nearly two years against censorship efforts, eventually resigned under the strain.

Additionally, a complaint has been filed with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, alleging that the same trustees violated the state’s open records law by holding secret meetings on library matters—meetings that should have been open to the public.

Janis should not have to shoulder the burden of this fight alone. Her case highlights the importance of protecting intellectual freedom, ensuring government transparency, and upholding the principles of open governance.

Your support is vital. By standing with Janis, you are not only supporting her courageous efforts but also making a statement against censorship and in favor of open, democratic processes.

Please join me in supporting Janis Hagen. Together, we can ensure that public libraries remain spaces for all voices and perspectives.