Curious Library Board Choices Bear Watching
Anderson Observer Editorial Board
In an apparent effort to bring diversity to the Anderson County Library Board, the county council named two new at-large members on Tuesday night. While they certainly added some diversity, both choices were men, with one being African American and the other Hispanic, council seems to have overlooked academic and library experience as a criterion for selection.
The previous board had seven members, one appointed from each council district. Reasons given to expand the board by two new at large members include giving broader representation for citizens and to assuage some on council concerned that board members serving four-year terms could create the possibility that a council member, who is elected to a two-year term, might not get the opportunity to appoint a board member from their district.
The reality is far more complicated. Groups such as “Moms for Liberty” have mobilized to put forth candidates and volunteers to challenge books in the library they deem inappropriate, especially in the children’s section. The Anderson children’s library section has more than 35,000 volumes and over the past 18 months 10 selections have been challenged. Some have been moved as the result of these challenges. Political pressures were at least part of the reason for the expanded library board, of this there is little doubt.
In any case, council received 43 applications for the at-large positions, and interviewed 15 from that group. Among the finalists were three with Phds., an M.D., two with Masters Degrees, six with bachelor degrees and three with associate degrees (or junior college).
One had a Master’s of Library Science and years of experience in library management. Two others had library experience in public libraries or school libraries.
Neither of the two candidates chosen holds a four-year degree or has any direct experience applicable to library issues and management.
Perhaps the two men did well enough in interviews to convince council members they can do the homework needed to fully understand the mission of the library and the issues at hand to be effective on the board. Time will tell.
And council is to be applauded for avoiding the handful of candidates who were blatantly political in their applications and/or interviews, and there were a few.
But the two choices are curious, given their lack of formal education and the increasing demands and challenges facing the public library in the current political climate.
It’s possible both men will embrace the reality that purpose of the library board is not to appease any political dogma from any party, but to provide a superior public library for all members of the community.
And at least one of the new members, who ran for the South Carolina House Dist. 8 seat in 2016, suggested at that time that there is no room for compromise in politics. Let’s hope he does not bring that approach to the library board, where cooperative effort is essential.
Numerous awards and accolades confirm that the Anderson County Library System is among the best in the state, and has been for decades.
The editorial board hopes those efforts are not diminished. Concerned citizens are encouraged to attend library board meetings and discuss concerns with board members and council members to ensure a free and open exchange of ideas, a concept on which libraries were founded.
Perhaps the expanding of the board will be a good long-term decision, but until we are convinced we will be watching.
The Anderson Observer Editorial Board is made of of five journalists with a combined 200 years in the newspaper business.