Rules committee recommends denying Elizabeth Anderson for library board after heated public comments

The Jacksonville Rules Committee voted 3-5 on May 19 to recommend denying Mayor Deegan’s nomination of Elizabeth Anderson to the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees, after nearly two hours of public comment that ranged from full-throated support to allegations from several speakers about Anderson’s past remarks and decisions as a school board member.

The vote came after a sustained public-comment period in which supporters of Anderson — including teachers, retired librarians and students — described her as a community-minded educator and nonprofit leader, while opponents cited social-media comments and school-board policy decisions as reasons to reject the appointment. Councilman Holland, chairman of the Rules Committee, opened the meeting and later presided over the discussion and vote.

Anderson, who was nominated by Mayor Deegan, described her background to the committee: she is the CEO of 1Jax, previously served on the Duval County School Board from 2018–2022 (including as chair), and said her priorities as a trustee would include expanding digital access, early-childhood literacy and workforce development. She also addressed criticism in public…