Lindsay, CA – Liberty Counsel has released Brenda Biesterfeld’s employment records on its web site, www.LC.org, to demonstrate that she was indeed fired for reporting to police that a patron, Donny Lynn Chrisler, was viewing child pornography on a library computer. Biesterfeld was fired without explanation only two days after police arrested Chrisler for viewing child pornography at the Lindsay Library. Tulare County, her former employer, has claimed that there were independent grounds for her termination, but has yet to specify what they were.

On January 15, 2008, the performance evaluation given by Judy Hill, the supervisor who fired Biesterfeld, stated she was performing satisfactorily. As the sole employee at the Lindsay branch, she was entrusted with managing the entire branch library. Biesterfeld had seven years experience working at other branches within Tulare County. The evaluation also mentioned additional training that was coming up in March and stated: “In April 2008, the ‘new’ Lindsay Branch Library will be completed. When it gets closer to the date of completion we will go over the move and floor plan.” On February 21, Biesterfeld was visited by the entire management of the Tulare County library system, all of whom reiterated that Biesterfeld would very soon assume responsibilities for this brand new facility. A few days after that visit, Biesterfeld was asked what color bookends she wished for the new facility.

When police arrested Chrisler at the library, Judy Hill was upset and demanded from police the name of the person who reported him. Hill terminated Biesterfeld two days after the arrest, when Hill learned it was Biesterfeld who called police.

After Biesterfeld was fired for reporting Chrisler for viewing child pornography, Judy Hill placed new items into her personnel file without informing Biesterfeld, which violates the library policy that requires employees must be informed and provided an opportunity to respond. The new information placed in her file after the termination discusses minor issues regarding shelving books. Even this new, after-the-fact information fails to justify the wrongful termination of Biesterfeld.

The fact is that Judy Hill sought to ignore the serious crime committed in the library when Chrisler viewed child pornography. She was allegedly concerned more about Chrisler having a right to view child pornography. In fact, there is no right to view child pornography, even in the privacy of the home, let alone a public library. When police searched Chrisler’s home, they discovered more evidence of child pornography. He remains in jail under a $100,000 bond.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “The actions of Tulare County officials in firing Brenda Biesterfeld are simply inexcusable. She should be reinstated and compensated for the injustice done to her. The Tulare County Library ought to adopt clear policies informing their staff of the duty to report child pornography to the police authorities. Just as taking crack in a library cubicle is illegal and must be reported, even more so should child pornography be reported. It is an unspeakable crime against children.”

Child pornography can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.