Following months of tension over book bans and Jackson County’s withdrawal from the Fontana Regional Library system, concerns about political bias continued to be a point of discussion at the Nov. 12 Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees meeting. The board discussed the meaning of “neutrality” and whether their libraries were “endorsing” certain organizations with political affiliations.
Deborah Smith of Jackson County introduced the topic of “neutrality” and proposed moving books with major themes of human sexuality from the children’s section to the adult section, as well as cutting ties with community organizations unless the FRL partners with all of them equally.
“I’ve had a front-row seat to the anguish, shame and dysfunction caused when children are exposed to information, pictures or physical contact that is age inappropriate,” said Smith, a mental health professional. “I have no problem with any person identifying, associating, endorsing or promoting any organization, but the question is, should the FRL be doing that? Is this not a form of reverse discrimination?”
Board members clashed over whether the FRL actually “endorsed” or was a member of any organizations. Director Tracy Fitzmaurice stated the Jackson County Public Library is only a member of the county’s chamber of commerce and never applied to be listed on any directory. Others questioned whether being linked on a website classifies as an endorsement.
Cynthia Womble of Swain County and Macon County Librarian Abby Hardison expressed their concerns about not being able to partner with governmental and non-profit programs. After much debate, Smith moved that the FRL no longer affiliate with non-governmental community organizations, and the board agreed to form an ad-hoc committee to develop the policy. Womble will serve as chair and Smith as a member.
“This would allow us to be able to have the time and space to do that [develop a policy] and ensure that it included what we wanted to include, like, endorsements, not having stickers and making sure our display policy as it currently exists is dovetailed into that as well,” said Womble.
Another controversial topic discussed at the meeting was the amending of the FRL budget. Lori Richards of Jackson County proposed reallocating $1,440 in unspent funds for professional association dues to books, despite the fiscal year not being complete. Doing so would impact memberships and potential discounts on books.
“I don’t want to lose those discounts because they allow us to get the biggest bang for the buck on purchases,” said Womble.
Despite uncertainty about where the dues funding comes from, the board voted 5-3 in favor of Richards’ budget amendment.
“As far as I’m concerned, if all of this is being paid for by Friends of the Library and this is where they want it to go, then great, this is where it should go,” said Smith.
Other topics of discussion included an update on the Marianna Black Library building project, which Tony Monnat hopes to complete by March 2027, and repairs to the Macon County Public Library, which are nearly finished aside from the roof.
The board has also yet to find an attorney to represent the FRL. Despite being declined by three different firms, Fitzmaurice said she remains in contact with several other firms such as from the Asheville and Charlotte areas. The FRL has been without legal counsel since August and will look to broaden its search to the eastern part of the state.
“I am saddened that there are attorneys in the western region that don’t have the capacity to take this on,” said Womble. “You can’t sit at the table with the county managers and their lawyers and not have a lawyer to represent us.”
The next FRL Board of Trustees will be on the second Tuesday of January. Revisions to the interlocal agreement have been received by board members and will be posted to the FRL website for 30 days. The board will discuss and vote on the agreement then.
- Mitch Stone
reporter@highlandsnews.com