Commissioners vote 3-2 to dismiss Library Board of Trustees

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Public Library Board of Trustees got their pink slips Dec. 8 after a lengthy public hearing by the county commissioners. The vote to dismiss was 3-2.

The special meeting was called after the trustees chose in an Oct. 8 public meeting not to honor a request by patrons to remove a children's book titled “Call Me Max.” It deals with a student who wishes to be called Max, which doesn’t seem to fit, according to www.goodreads.com, continuing, “This begins Max's journey as he makes new friends and reveals his feelings about his identity to his parents.”

Those opposed to keeping the book in the library brought the issue before the commissioners, who scheduled the Dec. 8 public hearing at the Historic 1909 Courthouse. 

Forty individuals wishing to speak wrote their names on slips of paper, which were dropped into a container. The names were then drawn at random with a three-minute limit to speak and two hours of the hearing.

Of the 40 speakers, 21 wanted to see the library board dismissed while 19 supported the board. 

Those arguing to get rid of the nine-member board reasoned that the book was aimed at children, who are not old enough to understand transgender issues. For them it came down to the issue of morals and values. 

In support of the library board were those who said the board members adhered to their own bylaws in keeping the book on the shelves. Steve Grove, a member of the board, said they “rely on highly-trained librarians” in determining library materials. Another member, Betty Armfield, said, “We adhere to the rules for the disposition of materials. We have the responsibility to serve all sides of issues. She said it’s the parents’ responsibility to choose what they believe are appropriate books for their children.”

When the public hearing ended, each of the commissioners gave their views. Darrell Frye, the chair, talked about a family member who committed suicide after being “brainwashed” on social media. “It’s about, to me, exposing a child before it’s able to make a decision. It’s personal to me.”

After Kenny Kidd made the motion to adopt a resolution that would remove the library board, Hope Haywood said, “I cannot support this.” She preferred to look at the library policies and consider changes. “To completely abolish the board does not align with what’s the appropriate way to solve the issue.”

Lester Rivenbark said the book “doesn’t represent the values of Randolph County. I don’t want the book in there.” Arguing that there are many more such materials in the library, he said, “This is more than one book.”

David Allen said he believed that there’s a middle ground to resolving the issue. “I’m disappointed that this is so divisive. I wish we were so passionate about other issues” the county is facing. 

Allen went on to say, “To me, it’s not about a book but about procedure. For what reason are we banning the board? There are other ways to do this without dissolving the board. Change can be implemented in time. What’s the rush?

“It’s about power, about control,” said Allen, adding that he had been told that if he voted to keep the board that he would be “primaried” in the coming election.

Finally, Allen said removing the library board would “set a terrible precedent. Good qualified people won’t want to serve. … I can’t support eliminating the board.”

Kidd said, “I don’t think it’s tough at all” to remove the library board. “I feel like I’m doing the right thing. This is a black-and-white issue. Something important to me is the soul of our children.”

Finally, the commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of Kidd’s motion to remove the library board. He was joined by Frye and Rivenbark while Allen and Haywood voted against.