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Fired Lindsay Librarian Honored

Brenda Biesterfeld was honored by Family Friendly Libraries at the Lindsay City Council meeting Tuesday.

Earlier this month Biesterfeld was fired shortly after telling police a man used a library computer, at the Lindsay branch of the Tulare County Library, to search for child pornography.

"I felt very proud to accept the award," she said.

Councilmember Suzi Picaso presented the 'Gold Star Award' and says the organization contacted her because of the media coverage surrounding her firing.

"I feel this is getting so much attention because this woman did the right thing and she was told by her supervisor that they handled it internally with the Tulare County Library," she said.

Tulare County released a letter in response to Biesterfeld's claim that she was wrongfully fired.

The county maintains that Biesterfeld was let go for "legitimate business reasons and not because of any report she made to the Lindsay Police Department."

Biesterfeld says she doesn't buy it but she still wants her job back.

"If I was let go for personnel reasons, you think they could have at least said 'thank you' for getting this man arrested for child pornography and but that didn't happen," she said.

Now 39-year old Donny Crisler is in jail facing charges of child pornography.

Tulare County officials say they plan to appoint retired Superior Court Judge Kenneth Conn to independently look into the firing of Brenda Biesterfeld.

On April 19th the Lindsay Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a barbecue fundraiser to help the former librarian. Part of the proceeds will go to Biesterfeld to help her and her two sons until she can find a new job or get her old one back.