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Anderson County Library Board defers state book-review deadline after public debate on minors' access
Summary
After more than a dozen public commenters urged competing approaches to children’s access to library materials, the Anderson County Library Board voted to delay its scheduled book-review vote until next month and told staff to notify the state librarian that reviews remain in progress.
The Anderson County Library Board voted to postpone its item on book reviews for the Secretary of State until the board’s next meeting, following multiple public comments urging either protection of children or broad access to information.
During the public-comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting, speakers offered sharply different views. Al Good of Oak Ridge urged the board to “let librarians do their job” and warned against outright bans, saying librarians have professional training to select materials. Randall Storms, also of Oak Ridge, urged trustees to limit minors’ access and called for “clear age-appropriate placement of materials” and parental control. Former board member Carolyn Boswell said the library must serve the entire community and warned against imposing one set of religious beliefs on others.
The board’s action to defer came after trustees said they had received fresh lists of titles from librarians and from community reviewers and wanted more time to examine those materials. A trustee explained that several large orders are already in place and that, practically, any pause would need to be targeted so it did not unduly disrupt service.
Board members and staff also discussed potential state oversight. A staff member said the state librarian (Trey Hargett referenced in discussion) had previously indicated the possibility that funding could be affected if required materials or paperwork were not submitted. Library staff said they would contact the state librarian’s office to confirm the board’s ongoing review to avoid any funding risk.
Trustees did not adopt new restrictions at the meeting. Instead, they approved a motion to delay the Secretary-of-State book-review agenda item until next month so trustees and staff can complete their review and assemble the lists. Staff said they will compile titles of concern and keep the state librarian informed of the board’s progress.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the same meeting room.
