Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 12:12am
Librarian fired for reporting child porn
Liberty Counsel is challenging the firing of Assistant Librarian Brenda Biesterfeld in Lindsay, Calif., who was fired shortly after she reported to police that a man was viewing child pornography on a library computer. On Feb. 28, while working at the Lindsay Branch Library, Biesterfeld noticed Donny Lynn Chrisler, 39, viewing child pornography on one of the library's public-use computers. She went to her supervisor, Judi Hill, who instructed her to give him a warning and explain that on his second warning he would be banned from the library, LifeSiteNews.com reported Tuesday.
When Biesterfeld asked if she should call the police, Hill told her not to and that the library would handle it internally. On March 4, when Chrisler returned, Biesterfeld saw him viewing more child pornography and summoned police. The officers caught Chrisler viewing the child pornography and arrested him. Polic found more child pornography in his home.
Hill confronted the police, claiming law enforcement had no business interfering and county librarians were handling the matter. Police explained that a federal law had been violated, but Hill never offered to help.
Two days later and without explanation, Biesterfeld was terminated. Her firing outraged the Lindsay community and raised concerns over how the Library responds to illegal child pornography on library property.
When Biesterfeld asked if she should call the police, Hill told her not to and that the library would handle it internally. On March 4, when Chrisler returned, Biesterfeld saw him viewing more child pornography and summoned police. The officers caught Chrisler viewing the child pornography and arrested him. Polic found more child pornography in his home.
Hill confronted the police, claiming law enforcement had no business interfering and county librarians were handling the matter. Police explained that a federal law had been violated, but Hill never offered to help.
Two days later and without explanation, Biesterfeld was terminated. Her firing outraged the Lindsay community and raised concerns over how the Library responds to illegal child pornography on library property.