Council Gives Initial Approval to Expanding Library Board Despite Citizen Concerns
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County Council approved, by a vote of 6-1 on first reading, adding two members to the Anderson County Library board.
It was not made clear by council why the resolution to expand the board from seven members, one from each district, to nine (two at-large districts).
The move will require two more readings. If it passes both, council will open the application process to the public and the full council will vote on the new members, who can live anywhere in Anderson County.
“We should not politicize the library board,” said Anderson County Councilman Glenn Davis, who voted against the proposal. “We have an awesome library, an awesome staff.”
Three citizens who commented on the proposal agreed with Davis.
“A politicized board would not be good for the community,” said Elizabeth Tillman of Anderson. “Our library staff works tirelessly to serve a diverse population,” said Tillman. “I hope you will vote no, but if not, I hope you will explain the motivation for adding two members and how they will be chosen.”
Anderson native and mother of four Jessica Spearman, said she learned to read at the Anderson Library.
Anderson resident and veteran Eric Childs said he fears the move could lead to censorship. Childs said growing up in a small town, the library was the safest place to go for him.
“I was a small kid and got picked on,” said Childs. “I found solace in books. Every child should be safe in the library, regardless of their race, religion, or what minority they are. This seems to be an attempt to gerrymander the library board.”
Councilman Jimmy Davis said the council was frustrated by the current governance structure of the board.
“The library board is the only board we can appoint someone to but we can’t remove,” said Davis. “I don’t know why that is. If we appoint them, we should be the one to remove them.”
Davis said S.C. Rep. April Cromer trying to help sort out potential options concerning the current state of the board governance.
Glenn Davis asked fellow council members if they had talked to Anderson County Library Director Annie Sutton. None had, but Councilman John Wright said he’d had conversations with Sutton about other matters, but not the current proposal.
Also on Tuesday night, council approved tax incentives for a manufacturing building which is expected to generate $36 million and potentially provide 200 new jobs.
Council also heard a report from the Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District, whose mission is to conserve and protect natural resources, and to provide education to the public to encourage good stewardship of our environment. Brian Stoddard, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - which is the federal partner for the district - said the five-year economic impact of the work in the district topped $16 million.