Looking at library board oversight
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank plans to investigate the authority of the Anderson County Library Board.
She declared her intention at a meeting of the Anderson County Operations Committee Monday, Oct. 16.
County Commissioner Tracy Wandell made a motion for Frank to investigate whether there is a document that lays out the board’s ability to control library employees. County Commissioner Robert McKamey seconded. It passed unanimously.
The motion directed Frank to investigate, but did not recommend changes.
“At this particular time, I’m happy with the Library Board and have zero concerns with the way they run,” Wandell said. However, he said an investigation would help clarify how the Library Board oversees library employees.
Citizens and politicians alike have paid attention to the Library Board recently as it has debated removing or restricting access to various books. However, Frank said she wanted to investigate who has responsibility over the libraries, due to other issues as well. She said people approached her about libraries being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic when they wanted to use internet services.
“My office was worn out,” Frank said. “The citizenry believed ‘you’re funding everything. They’re your employees, and it’s the Anderson County Library Board. Why can’t you do something?’”
As County Commissioner Denise Palmer said at the meeting, the Library Board hires and fires employees at all of the county’s libraries. While the County Commission appoints the Library Board members, it does not overrule their decisions.
Frank said the Library Board works with several governmental levels. She said Anderson County owns the Briceville Library, but the cities of Norris, Clinton and Rocky Top own the library buildings in those cities.
However, the county financially supports all the libraries.
“If it’s confusing; it’s not a good process,” Frank said. “If it’s not easily carried out, it’s not a good process.”
The libraries also work with the Clinch River Regional Library, a state agency represented at the Operations Committee meeting by Matthew Jordan, its director.
He cautioned that making changes might have unintended consequences.
“When you’re looking to change a structure that’s been around for many decades, you need to tread carefully,” he said.
“Would it prompt cities to close their libraries? I don’t know. It’s a consideration though.”
County Commissioner Steven Verran said he opposed changes that would make removing books about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) topics easier.
“If you’re going to make changes to the Library Board so that they can win, I’m going to oppose it,” Verran said to the mayor regarding people who want to remove books. “You’ve made an enemy for life.”
“Even if I disagree with him, he’s never going to be my enemy for life,” Frank said in response.