Citrus County board appoints four to library advisory panel after heated public debate over children’s materials

The Special Library District governing body for Citrus County voted to appoint Lorraine Benefield, Justin Strickland, Rhys (Rees) Campbell and Katie Myers to the Library Advisory Board during its February 2025 meeting, approving the motion by voice vote after public comment and board discussion.

The nominations followed a lengthy public comment period in which dozens of residents urged the board to prioritize protecting children from sexually explicit or age-inappropriate library materials and to preserve what speakers described as community values. Chair Rebecca Beatty noted the wide range of opinions in the room and urged board members to listen respectfully as they considered nominations.

Library Services Director Adam Chang described the advisory board’s role and recent operational changes. "The board was established in 1987 and the board reviews the library services budget, policies, services, and other pertinent matters," Chang said, adding that advisory recommendations move to the Board of County Commissioners. Chang also confirmed a procedural change: "young adult now is 15 to 18," meaning the library reclassified the age range often labeled "young adult." He said juvenile materials remain separately shelved and that some contested titles are held at only one branch and can be transferred on request.

Board members debated how to balance parental authority, staff procedures and community concerns. Commissioner Holly Davis criticized what she described as "gotcha" tactics by some public critics and urged residents to use library complaint channels before escalating controversies; she also urged civility in public debate. Several board members emphasized that parents remain the primary decision-makers for children’s reading: Chang said children 12 and under are required to be with a parent in the library; for patrons older than 12, staff generally allow checkouts and expect parents to set limits.

Public commenters pressed for additional appointments, notably John Labriola, who drew repeated vocal support from attendees. Several residents urged the board to appoint Labriola as well; others asked the board to reappoint long-serving members. The board ultimately closed nominations, voted on the four named candidates and approved the appointments by voice vote; a board member registered opposition during the vote.

The board’s action is advisory: appointments and any policy recommendations from the Library Advisory Board are forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. Chang said the advisory board reviews draft budgets and policies, makes recommendations and can request county legal review for policy changes. The board did not change library policy at the meeting beyond reaffirming the procedural categorization of young adult materials and noting existing checkout practices.

The board will publish appointment details and staff said applicants’ resumes and backup materials are available with the agenda packet online.