The St. Tammany Parish Council appointed Dinah Thanars and Glenn Baham to the Library Board of Control on July 10 after lengthy and sometimes contentious public comment. The vote count reported by the clerk was: Thanars 8 votes, Jill Kessler 5 votes, Baham 13 votes; the council appointed Thanars and Baham to the two open seats.

The appointment hearing drew more than two dozen speakers and competing calls from residents and neighborhood groups. Several speakers urged the council to appoint conservative candidates they said would protect children from sexual or explicit content in library collections; others warned against censoring materials and described harassment of potential appointees.

Supporters of Thanars and Baham said the nominees bring local experience and fiscal oversight. Don Thanars read a statement saying Dinah had visited all 12 libraries and both administrative facilities to learn operations and that she “believes in fostering welcoming spaces that promote literacy and lifelong learning.” Joan Simon, who said she grew up in libraries and is an English major, urged the council to retain Thanars, calling her “supremely well qualified.”

Opponents framed the appointment as a political choice. Multiple speakers referenced national debates over library content and used terms such as “grooming” and “explicit” when criticizing some library materials. Several commenters described harassment and threats directed at nominees; Sherry Rowland, once nominated, withdrew her candidacy, citing pressure.

Council members referenced legal and administrative history. Councilmember David Coogel asked the public to note the Fifth Circuit had ruled the council followed the law in prior actions affecting the board; others said the board needs members with financial and managerial experience to oversee a large library budget. Dr. Andy Benson, citing the library’s long‑term fiscal plans and a roughly $216 million budget commitment over many years, urged caution and nominated Baham and Kessler as fiscally experienced choices.

After the roll call, the clerk announced Thanars and Baham would be appointed to the Library Board of Control. The council then voted on the resolution to finalize the appointments.