Daviess County confirms Tim Klein to library board after heated public comment; vote 3-1

The Daviess County Fiscal Court confirmed Tim Klein as a member of the Daviess County Library Board on Oct. 2, 2025, on a 3-1 roll-call vote. The appointment was effective Oct. 2, 2025, and the term as stated in the agenda runs through Sept. 13, 2029.

The nomination prompted more public feedback than court members said they had seen on any other issue since taking office. Supporters described Klein as a parent and attorney with values they said align with protecting children; opponents said his appointment represented partisan influence and threatened the library’s impartiality.

Jerry Chapman, chairman of Daviess County Citizens for Decency, urged commissioners to approve Klein and argued courts have sanctioned content-based collection decisions. "Public library collection decisions are government speech, therefore not afforded protections under the First Amendment," Chapman said, quoting recent appellate decisions to argue libraries may refuse materials for community suitability. He closed by calling Klein "a lawyer with integrity" and urged a yes vote.

Cheryl Brown, speaking for the Coalition for Inclusive Daviess County, said the coalition represents local civic groups and faith communities and asked that library appointments be nonpartisan and inclusive. "Our public library deserves to be an institution free from political, religious and personal influence," Brown said, and characterized the appointment process as lacking transparency.

Several commissioners spoke before the roll call. Commissioner Mark Sperry said he had received emails on both sides and described the response as the most feedback he had seen since taking office; he said he had attended library board meetings for years and had not observed the behavior critics cited. Commissioner Marksberry said he had spoken with Klein and learned Klein has teenage children — a point Marksberry said influenced his support.

The court took a roll-call vote after limited floor debate. The transcript records the roll call responses as: "Commissioner Conner — Yes; Judge Executive Caslin — Yes; Commissioner Marksbury — Yes; Commissioner Caslin — No." The clerk then announced, "Motion carries 3 1."

The appointment and the public response underscored deep local divisions over library governance and children’s materials. Court members and public commenters repeatedly framed the dispute as one of community standards and transparency. The judge-executive and several commissioners urged healing and civility after the vote.

Action: Appointment approved (motion recorded as passed). Effective dates listed on the agenda: 10/02/2025–09/13/2029.