Extremist Connections of Library Board Member Should Concern Us All

By Michael Cox

I am writing to bring to attention to some concerns I have regarding certain behaviors and actions of one of the Anderson County Library Board members, Sara Crocker, who is allied with extremist activities. As a member of our community deeply invested in the success and integrity of our local library, I believe it is crucial to address these issues in order to maintain the high standards we expect from our board members.

Over the last two years we have witnessed the rise of a Christian Nationalist movement that has been attacking our school librarians and also politicizing our public library system in Anderson.

At the forefront of these attacks is a group known as Moms for Liberty. The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated them as a hate or extremist group. Only two years ago they showed up in our area as a grassroots organization. Moms for Liberty is more of an AstroTurf operation — national groups that expand rapidly through large cash infusions from corporations and foundations that push specific causes. They are behind the push to expand your board and also attack our public-school librarians. The end result is an attack on the most vulnerable kids in our schools and an attack on our freedoms as they try to censor our public-school curriculum, and books available to read.

Attached is a public Facebook post by the President of the Anderson County Moms for Liberty, one of many again attacking our librarians and the organizations that they belong to. Of course, none of them are librarians but I noticed your board member had commented on the post specifically to April Cromer - the puppeteer of these groups. It was also brought to my attention that not only did Sara Croker attend their meetings, but also participated in the role of guest speaker.

This group is part of a larger national push for Christian Nationalism. After reading the e-mails obtained via FOIA from the County Council regarding the selection of additional members to your board, it’s very concerning that we are not providing a safe place for all of our residents to be welcomed.

If this concern should be directed to someone else, please forward to the appropriate office.