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Randolph County residents sharply divided over library trustees after children’s book dispute
Summary
Dozens of residents addressed the Randolph County Board of Commissioners Nov. 3 over a recent library trustees’ decision about children’s materials; speakers urged either protecting trustees’ independence or removing trustees, while commissioners said a separate Dec. 8 public hearing on library matters is scheduled.
At a packed meeting on Nov. 3, Randolph County residents pressed the Board of Commissioners over a recent Randolph County Public Library trustees’ decision involving children's materials.
Carl Hicks, a Randleman teacher, urged the board to protect the library’s role as a place that exposes children to diverse voices and warned that removing Call Me Max would set a precedent. "Each removal narrows the diversity of voices our library should reflect," Hicks said.
Jonathan Burris, pastor of Sofia Baptist Church, criticized the trustees as an "unelected" body out of step with conservative residents and urged commissioners to take action. "If you choose to lay down, then we will rise up and we will see to it that someone else is sitting in your chair that will lead on this issue," Burris told commissioners.
Several speakers defended the trustees. Rebecca Todd said trustees "listened to every angry person, every gentle voice" and made thoughtful decisions. Susie Scott, a longtime county resident, said the trustees "did not bow to political pressure" and asked why an out-of-county pastor appeared to be encouraging outside attendance. "We should be applauding their integrity," Scott said.
Other public commenters asked for compromise measures such as relocating contested titles rather than removing them from the system. Jennifer Rock, who attended the library board meeting in question, said the board had not been presented with requests to ban books but had been asked to consider relocating items to different sections. "A book was not — it was never brought about to ban a book," Rock said.
Commissioners did not take immediate formal action on library governance during the meeting. Chair noted there is a scheduled public hearing on library matters Dec. 8, and staff reiterated that response or action about public input is at the board’s discretion. The meeting included a large second public-comment block later in the agenda where additional residents reiterated both support for and opposition to the trustees and warned of functional impacts if trustees were removed during an ongoing strategic-planning process.
The board did not vote to remove or replace trustees on Nov. 3; commissioners signaled they would hear more public comment and formalize any next steps at or after the advertised Dec. 8 hearing.
