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Residents tell commissioners library staff departures and book challenges harmed services; some urge board appointments, transparency
Summary
Multiple residents told the commission that recent shelving guidelines and book challenges led to 22 library staff departures and moved LGBTQ‑themed books to adult sections; speakers urged defending librarians, more transparency, and careful board appointments.
Several residents used the public‑comment period to raise concerns about library policy changes, staffing losses and book‑challenge procedures.
Karen Phelps (235 Kestrick Drive) said a surge of book challenges in 2022 targeted LGBTQ‑themed materials and led to personal attacks on librarians; she said 22 library staff have left and six books were moved from young adult to adult sections. Phelps said the shift to a single county library system and a library board composition that includes a county commissioner and a county employee raised concerns about independent policymaking and staff protections.
Howard Johnson recommended appointing Sandra Bowers to the library board, citing her 14 years of service to the Columbia County Library and a master’s in library science. Commenters urged the commission to be transparent about changes to library governance and to support staff who faced harassment.
Speakers said the county should provide clearer information about library policy decisions and the timeline for implementing system changes; one commenter asked for public notice and engagement about related development projects (the White Oak Technology Park) that some speakers said were not clearly communicated to residents.
The commission heard these comments during the public‑comment portion of the meeting; no formal action on library governance or shelving guidelines was taken at this meeting.
