Crowd smaller, book controversy not so much
For the first time in several months, the members at the June library board meeting, held Thursday, June 8 at the Clinton Library, outnumbered the spectators.
However, it appears the controversy over questionable books has not died down.
Chairman Josh Anderson informed the board that Sheriff Russell Barker had lodged two formal complaints against library books. One complaint was against the book “Gender Queer,” which is in the Clinton Library, and the other was against “Let’s Talk About It,” which is in the Norris Library.
In his complaints, Barker requested that those books be restricted to people over 18 years of age. Anderson said he had asked the sheriff to file formal complaints as a private citizen because Barker had read the books and Anderson felt that, because of comments against the books, complaints should be filed so the board could examine them according to established procedure.
Because there were two separate complaints, two separate subcommittees, one from each library, were formed. Each included the appropriate library director.
The subcommittees will be meeting before next month’s Library Board meeting, and a decision on both books is expected at that time. The way the complaint process works, if Barker is not satisfied with one or both subcommittee decisions, the entire library board will consider the decisions.
Board member Jess Ann Cole asked why the directors from the libraries involved were included on the subcommittees. Anderson replied that it was so they could defend the purchase of the books.
Board members learned that at next month’s meeting, Jay Yager, the county’s law director, should be presenting a proposed policy for dealing with questionable books.
“I haven’t seen the progress we asked for,” said Nathan Mullins. ”I don’t see any eagerness to compromise.”
He accused the board of hand-picking new board members who were in favor of the status quo, and questioned the neutrality of the library board. Mullins said he believes the board is biased and does not represent the wishes of the parents.
Anderson disagreed with Mullins’ assertion that board members were hand-picked. The board makes recommendations. Those recommendations have to be approved by either the Anderson County Commission or the city councils of Clinton, Norris or Rocky Top, he said.
Board member Tommy Mariner took exception to Mullins’ statement that nothing was being done. “We have done something,” he said. Mariner said parents could restrict their children from checking out certain book titles or certain types of books if the parents did not want their children reading those books. However, he said he felt that parents should not be able to restrict the books other parents’ children were able to check out.
He went on to say that some books have been moved to other sections in the library where children would not have access to them.
He also said the language has been strengthened dealing with minors getting library cards. Mariner reminded Mullins that the board had sponsored a forum, allowing a large number of people to express their opinions on the subject.
“We need to protect our children,” was the opinion of Sandra Malcolm. She felt that irrevocable harm would be done to children by some of the questionable books
“We are trying to meet everybody in the middle,”said Kimberlee Byrge, director of the Norris Library.