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Randolph County residents clash over children’s book as trustees face review
Summary
Dozens of residents addressed the Randolph County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 over a library trustees’ decision about a children’s book; some speakers called for removal or review of the board and others defended trustees for listening to the community. The board noted a separate public hearing on the library is scheduled Dec. 8.
Dozens of county residents used the public-comment period at the Randolph County Board of Commissioners’ Nov. 3 meeting to dispute a recent library-board decision over a children’s book.
"Removing Call Me Max sets a troubling precedent," said Carl Hicks of Randleman, who told commissioners libraries should be places for dialogue rather than censorship. At the same meeting, Jonathan Burris, pastor of Sophia Baptist Church, characterized the board’s action as an accountability failure by an "unelected" body and urged commissioners to act: "Grooming has been approved in this county even if it is in small increments," Burris said.
Other speakers defended the trustees. Rebecca Todd said she supported the decision and that "the Board of Trustees listen to every single person," while Susie Scott called the trustees’ action "courageous" and questioned reports that outside organizers were planning to bring protestors to county meetings. Virginia "Jen" Wahl, who said she had read the book and found it "quite delightful," asked commissioners not to impose mandates on reading choices: "I don't want it mandated that I can't read a book."
Several public commenters raised procedural concerns about how and when library-board meetings were scheduled, and whether the public had reasonable opportunity to attend. Jennifer Rock, who said she attended the library board meeting at issue, said repeatedly that "a book was not ... brought about to ban a book," and described requests discussed at the board meeting as seeking relocation of certain titles rather than outright prohibition.
Dr. Chris Golihue, a volunteer at a county branch and member of the community, urged caution about removing trustees amid an ongoing strategic-planning effort, warning it could "upset[] and disrupt[]" progress and the trust built between the board and branches.
The commissioners did not vote on any personnel action regarding the library at the Nov. 3 meeting. Chair noted there was not an agenda item on the library that night and reminded attendees that a separate public hearing on the library issue is scheduled for Dec. 8. The board’s public-comment rules were read at the start of the meeting and the chair limited the early public-comment portion to 15 minutes.
Next steps: the board will hold the announced Dec. 8 hearing on the library. Commissioners did not indicate that they had taken or planned formal removal actions at the Nov. 3 session.
