Randolph County adopts new library ordinance and bylaws after heated public comment

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a revised ordinance and a new set of bylaws governing the Randolph County Public Library board of trustees after a lengthy discussion and public comment period.

The changes, presented by county staff, aim to standardize appointment procedures across county advisory boards, add term limits, and alter initial term lengths for certain branch trustee seats. Commissioners amended the draft during the meeting to swap the initial two‑ and three‑year terms for Randleman and Ramseur seats before approving the ordinance and bylaws by voice vote.

The vote followed an extended public comment period in which multiple speakers addressed the library governance changes. "Well done for the consistency in your resolve to protect children while maintaining choice," Jonathan Burris said in support of the commissioners' actions. Several other speakers urged reinstatement of the previous trustees and warned of legal and procedural problems. "Removing public officials mid‑term without statutory cause and procedural safeguards is not a policy disagreement, it is a due process violation," Charlie White told the board, referencing the North Carolina Constitution and the 14th Amendment.

Commissioners and staff said the revised documents are intended to bring the library trustees' procedures in line with other county boards and to make nominations and terms clearer. Staff noted the current forms for applying to county boards are available and said the county will work to make application materials easier to find and to consider creating a standing pool of applicants for future openings.

Several residents asked for more transparency in the selection process and for public hearings before implementing substantive changes. Jennifer Eagle, who identified herself as holding a library degree, asked how the county will solicit applicants and what minimum qualifications nominees must meet; she warned that simply changing personnel without changing reconsideration policy would not prevent repeat disputes.

The board's motion included a technical amendment on initial term lengths, after which commissioners approved the ordinance and bylaws. The documents now govern how commissioners nominate trustees (nominees representing local libraries in each voting district to be approved by a majority), set term limits and initial staggered terms, and outline office procedures for the trustees.

The board did not vote on reinstating the previous trustees; several public speakers explicitly urged that path. Commissioners said they will make application processes more visible and consider metrics (such as circulation) when structuring terms for branch seats.

The adoption concludes the board's immediate actions on library governance but does not end public dispute: speakers warned of potential legal challenges and urged continued transparency. The county clerk will publish the revised ordinance and bylaws and staff said they will post the trustee application form and instructions for the public.