Residents tell Columbia County commissioners library shelving guidelines risk censorship and legal exposure

Several Columbia County residents used the May 20 public comment period to press the Board of Commissioners about library shelving guidelines and related legal and policy concerns.

Priscilla Bence asked the board to move adult literature downstairs and children and teen literature upstairs at the county library, arguing that such a change would reduce contentious challenges and improve age‑appropriate access. “I’m requesting that you consider, having all the adult literature materials downstairs and all the children and teen literature upstairs,” she said.

Karen Parham told the commission she had reviewed legal opinions and argued the shelving policy could amount to a content‑based restriction that courts routinely subject to strict scrutiny. “At best, this policy is legally risky. It’s certainly not fiscally conservative to pursue something courts have consistently struck down,” she said, noting concern about taxpayer exposure to litigation costs. Parham said she had brought packets of attorney letters and urged the commissioners to seek updated legal advice before further action.

Robert Heidman, another commenter, supported the county’s guardrails. He said parents should shield children from material they deem inappropriate and thanked the board for the guidelines, arguing libraries should reflect community standards.

Speakers referenced state and national debates over library policies and the American Library Association; one commenter referenced “SB 74” and another referenced state-level action related to the ALA. The commission did not take immediate action on library policy at the meeting; the comments were heard during the public‑comment portion of the agenda.