Willie Puchert is a local graphic designer and former journalist who has lived in northern Nevada for almost 40 years. While he has never been interested in running for office, Puchert has been active in progressive politics for decades, working and volunteering with city, county, and statewide campaigns.
His decision to apply for one of the open Washoe County Library Trustee positions was inspired by what he witnessed back in May at a contentious Library Board meeting. Puchert says he noticed a local Republican Party operative directing and coordinating the commenters, many of whom were hostile to the library board and staff.
Criticism of the Washoe County Library System is part of a larger national conservative movement which opposes Drag Queen Story Hour events and seeks to remove books and materials they consider to be offensive.
According to a report from the American Library Association (ALA), the surge in book bans is a result of a network of local political and advocacy groups targeting books with LGBTQ+ characters and storylines, and books involving characters of color.
These groups, including Moms for Liberty, have helped push for legislation in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Indiana and Idaho to regulate the availability of certain books on library shelves, while also leading efforts to defund or eliminate entire library districts.
“I applied because I am concerned with censorship and book banning and the historical precedent,” Puchert said of his own reasons to apply for a board position here.
Puchert is also troubled by the accusations of grooming and pornography lobbed at the library board and staff, reaffirming his fears that “our library system was becoming the latest flashpoint in the culture wars, just as CRT has been in the school district, and the ongoing discrimination towards members of the LGTBQ+ community.”
While the Board performs many functions important to the operation of the library system, choosing the books and materials available is not part of that role.
The Library Board of Trustees is tasked with governing operations at all the libraries in the county system and consists of five at-large members, appointed by the Washoe County Commissioners to a four-year term.
Puchert is one of over 50 applicants seeking one of the two open seats recently announced by County Commissioners following the departure of trustee Ann Medaille, and the board’s decision to not reappoint outgoing chair Amy Ghilieri to a second term.
For his part, Puchert believes that libraries are a critical source of information and entertainment, as well as a hub for local culture. He thinks that it is important to push back against the campaigns of fear and misinformation and to protect Washoe residents’ ability to access libraries and their wealth of resources.
If appointed, Puchert says he hopes to increase the number of literacy and cultural programs offered by the library. A decision on who gets appointed to the two open seats is expected soon.
For more information on the Washoe County Library System and the application process for the Board of Trustees, visit https://washoelife.washoecounty.gov/category/library-system/ .