Latest news with #SumnerCountyLibraryBoard
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sumner County library board delays vote on polarizing policy changes
GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Sumner County's library board has delayed a controversial decision about their book selection. The board of appointees has considered a sweeping overhaul of their collection policy, among other operations, across all five public libraries. The changes would give more say to the library board itself and restrict the content allowed on library shelves. PREVIOUS | Sumner County Library Board considering overhaul of policies, book material The last time Sumner County's library board convened was for a special-called meeting in late April. That meeting lasted just over an hour. Wednesday's meeting, which was moved inside the county commission chambers due to the size of the crowd, went on for almost three hours. Over a dozen people spoke, all in opposition to the change in policies. 'I really urge you to just throw out these changes — these things that truly bring out the worst in people,' said one speaker to a roaring applause. 'I'm grossly concerned about the removal of language requiring multiple viewpoints and the removal of the phrase 'constitutionally protected,' as well as the blatant transphobia of this document,' added another. Local law enforcement officials were on-site, and a few attendees were kicked out or walked out. Board chair Joanna Daniels added more changes to the proposal — ones that her fellow board members were allegedly not aware of ahead of time. 'I would not say that this [was] a typical library board meeting. What we saw were members of the community who came together and showed that what the library board is doing was not what they wanted,' Megan Lange, a former employee of Sumner County's library system, said. Daniels told the crowd Wednesday that there are 'misconceptions' around what their board does, and why. She thanked all in attendance for caring about their libraries. Previously, she's explained that these changes are about restricting a minor's access to possibly inappropriate materials in compliance with state law. It is not a 'book ban,' according to her. 'There has been, over the last year, all this confusion — which I'm not sure why there's confusion because the TCA code specifically states how to handle this,' Daniels said during a policy meeting in early April. Yet, the public still wants the board to be more open about what they're doing. 'I believe that there is some idea of the library board — that we will get tired, and that we will not be back, and I am here to say that we will back because this is critical to the function of our libraries,' Lange added. APRIL | 'It's pretty black and white': Nonprofit fighting back against change in Sumner County Library Board policy News 2 contacted Daniels directly and emailed the entirety of the library board for comment. As of publication, there has been no response. Other key elements of these proposed bylaws include new rules for how Sumner County libraries can fundraise and accept donations, the complete removal of the current appeals policy for removed materials, and a new section on 'transgender or gender confusing' materials. The library board ultimately pushed their vote on the new bylaws to their next meeting, which has been scheduled for July 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘It's pretty black and white': Nonprofit fighting back against change in Sumner County Library Board policy
GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — A nonprofit organization is warning of potential legal action against Sumner County's library board. The Sumner County Library Board has been a contentious topic among locals for some time. The board, which people volunteer to serve on, was reduced in size in March by the county commission because elected officials could not agree on who should fill the vacancies. Now, the board is looking to enact a previously-approved policy change that would give them the power to approve donation funds, and what to spend those funds on for each county library. Leaders look to reinvent the old Sumner County Courthouse One of the donors, a charitable nonprofit and separate entity known as 'The Friends of Public Libraries' in Sumner County, believe this is overreach. 'Our frustration lies in that, in the proposal of this policy, [it] shows the lack of qualifications by this board to properly, legally, and effectively govern our libraries,' explained Michele Harbin with Portland's Friends of Public Libraries. 'Anything out of the scope of those basic needs of the library– salaries, building maintenance, and circulated items– 'The Friends' make up the difference through fundraising,' Harbin continued. For further context, 'The Friends' organization gives back to all Sumner County public libraries. Typically, they donate money for things like upgrades (i.e. a teen room), holiday celebrations, or community events like bingo. 'It's a pretty black and white issue, because they [the board] can't touch that money, unless they would like to each join the separate 'Friends of the Libraries,'' said Harbin. Debate over science textbooks in Wilson County To highlight their frustration, The Friends of Portland Library sent a 'legal letter' to the Chair of the library board this week, ahead of Wednesday's library board meeting. The letter reads that the new policy 'infringes on the rights' of their organization and should be amended or 'deleted' to reflect the true powers and duties of the library board. While acknowledging that recent state law has forced local libraries to adapt how they operate, Harbin said the county's library board appears to have an alternative agenda. 'They do not have the experience or the knowledge about libraries. One guy that got appointed to the library board did not even have a library card!' Harbin detailed. 'The current library board chair, and some of the candidates that they have pushed forward, they just want to make sure they are conservative, Christian candidates.' Harber said a form used to be available on the county website that interested candidates could fill out for consideration on the board. 'That form has since disappeared,' Harber said. ⏩ Worth noting: these policy changes were already approved by the library board last year. During Wednesday afternoon's meeting, the implementation process will be discussed and voted on, along with other items, including the handling of 'challenged' books and materials in county libraries. News 2 reached out to the Library Board's Chair, Joanna Daniels, for a comment but did not hear back at the time of this publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
