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Residents press commissioners for transparent process as new library trustees are named
Summary
Multiple Randolph County residents urged the Board of Commissioners to use an open, documented appointment process for new library trustees, questioning the dismissal of the previous board and alleging handpicked nominees; residents called for adherence to library‑industry guidelines and clearer public outreach.
Multiple residents used the public comment period at the June 1 Randolph County meeting to press commissioners for transparency after the recent dismissal of the previous library board and announcement of new trustee nominees.
Speakers including Kara Catulla, Charlie White, Jennifer Eagle, Susan (Susie) Scott and Franklin Suggs raised similar concerns: they said applications were not widely publicized, alleged that bylaws were rewritten and that nominees may have been handpicked, and asked the board to follow the American Library Association’s guidelines and to make the selection process open and verifiable. "Why not put out a public call for applicants for the trustee positions as soon as they were open?" Jennifer Eagle asked, describing difficulty locating the application form and saying more visible outreach would have restored public trust.
Several commenters said they had formal library training or experience and asked whether applicants were interviewed and how many applied. Susan Scott characterized the dissolution of the previous board as unjustified and warned that the new process appeared to favor special interests; she urged commissioners to conduct public, documented evaluations and to follow professional guidelines when handling book challenges.
What the board said: commissioners acknowledged receipt of public comments and allowed a second public comment period after business concluded. The record shows repeated calls from residents for a transparent application and appointment process, documentation of how nominees were selected, and for commissioners to avoid the appearance of partisanship or favoritism in trustee selection.
Next steps: commissioners did not announce additional steps in the meeting. Residents requested clearer explanation about qualifications, how many applications were received, whether nominees applied, and whether any interviews were conducted.
