Cast as criminals, American librarians rally to their own defense

The award, which was publicized in local media, made Ms. Neujahr a target. The Idaho Tribune, an outlet that describes itself as “conservative journalism that supports and defends the Christian values ​​that Idaho loves and cherishes,” calling the award a “groomer award.”

Personal contacts of Ms. Neujahr's relatives appeared on websites attacking her. One online commenter threatened to “gut me like a fish,” she recalled. She offered to buy a security system for her in-laws.

In May, after two religious conservatives who had tried to remove books from the libraries won seats on the library board, members began reviewing the library's policies on collections. A draft seen by The New York Times seeks to ban material containing “any description, exhibition, presentation or representation, in any form, of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual arousal or sadomasochistic abuse,” including “buttocks with less then a completely opaque covering.” The language reflects the BookLooks rating system.

In January, the library's new president, Rachelle Ottosen, traveled to Boise to testify in favor of a bill that would allow parents to collect $250 in damages from a school or public library if their child accesses material that is “harmful” is for minors. But more people testified against the bill, and an earlier version of it was vetoed by the governor last year. Ms Ottosen declined to be interviewed or answer emailed questions.

Ms. Neujahr left the Community Library Network in Idaho in the fall and now directs youth services for the library system in Spokane, Washington, a half-hour drive away. The job is a promotion, but she acknowledges her disappointment with Mrs. Ottosen, who made it clear that the Rainbow Squad was no longer welcome in the library. She still leads the group, but it now meets at Calvary Lutheran Church in Post Falls. The community invited the teens to meet there and provided them with snacks and art supplies.