UPDATE: June 21, 2:40 p.m.
In response to the Times Virginian's request for comment, Interim Library Director Katharine Bloodworth stated in an email, "The Library doesn't have enough facts to make a comment at this time."
Original Post: June 21, 10 a.m.
In a 3-2 decision, the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night to remove the three existing members of the county's J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library Board of Trustees.
The motion was taken up for vote after 10 county residents, plus one speaker on the original meeting agenda, voiced strong opposition to LGBTQ-themed children's books in the Children's section, as well as other materials, allegedly in the Young Adult section of the library, that depict sexual imagery in graphic novels.
The American Library Association defines young adults as "individuals between 12 and 18 years of age."
The Times Virginian has reached out to a representative at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library for comment, and will share that response when it is received.
The Board of Supervisors meeting room at the CVCC complex was packed as many other local residents attended to show opposition to the materials in question.
Pastor Paul Raymond, of Appomattox, brought printed copies of sexually-explicit images and wording depicted in several graphic novels, that he said are in the library, to show to the supervisors during his scheduled appearance. One of those novels is titled "Snow, Glass, Apples" written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Colleen Doran. He also said he believes taxpayer money should not be used to fund such materials at a county library.
Attorney Tom Lacheney, who represents Appomattox County, was asked by the county board what criteria would need to be met in order to remove a library board member from their appointed position. Lacheney said it could be done, by state law, on the basis of misconduct or neglect of duty.
Raymond questioned the legality of explicit materials being made accessible to minors, claiming that it is a violation of law under various Virginia state codes such as Article 6, Section 18.2-390. He said that he has forwarded the matter to the Appomattox County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for review.
Appomattox resident Ken Wolfskill showed the supervisors a children's book, which he said is at the library, entitled "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It." On several pages the book reads, "If you're a drag queen and you know it, SHAKE YOUR BUM!" with animated images of people shaking their buttocks in a bent-over position.
Wolfskill stated in his comments that the issue is not about "book banning" but rather "book selection" because the public library chooses which books to include in its collection.
According to what was reported at last night's meeting, the Jamerson Library has previously been contacted with complaints about the LGBTQ-themed books being displayed in the Children's reading section at eye level. It was said that the books were then moved by staff to another part of the library.
Board of Supervisors member John Hinkle, representing the Falling River District, initiated the motion to remove the library board members immediately.
Trevor Hipps, representing the Wreck Island District, and Alfred Jones III, representing the Piney Mountain District, voted in favor of the motion.
Chairman Samuel Carter, of the Courthouse District, and Vice-Chairman William Hogan, of the Appomattox River District, voted against the motion. They both said they agreed in principle with the motion but preferred to investigate the matter further before making a final decision.
Carter also stated that the library board member from his Courthouse District, Evelyn Ford, was not on the board when the matter was first brought to the library's attention last year, and that she has made recent attempts to resolve the matter. Hogan stated that the Appomattox River District representative, Susan Williams, also took similar steps after being notified of the existence of the materials.
After the vote was completed, Carter and Hogan reappointed Ford and Williams to the Library Board of Trustees if, as they stated, they are willing to accept reappointment.
Jones appointed Nancy Jo Billings to represent the Piney Mountain District, taking the place of Joetricia Humbles.
Two library board members have already resigned from their positions, citing personal reasons, according to Appomattox County Administrator Susan Adams. They were Mary Lund of the Wreck Island District and Elizabeth Gilliam of the Falling River District. Appointed to replace them are Hope Adams and Brandon Barney, respectively. Those two resignations and appointments were on the scheduled agenda prior to the meeting.
Find out more in the upcoming June 28 issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.