STARKVILLE — Oktibbeha supervisors could soon vote to fill a public library board seat, which was vacated after a former board member resigned over concerns about LGBT books on display.
The seat has been vacant since the fall of 2021 when Roy Smith resigned his seat.
During the May 16 meeting, supervisors said the position became open when Smith vacated it due to disagreeing with LGBT children’s books being at the library. However, according to Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library children’s librarian Loraine Walker, there are no LGBT children’s books, though they do have LGBT books available beginning with teens and young adults. Smith did not respond for comment by press time.
Only one person, Bill Cooke, has applied for the open seat, but supervisors tabled the decision to appoint him during their May 16 meeting.
The vote was initially held off because the supervisors wanted to see if there would be more applicants before the next board meeting.
District 4 supervisor and board president Bricklee Miller said she wanted someone to fill the spot from District 4, since that was where Smith represented.
“Usually the board rotates, and each district has an appointment,” Miller said. “… The last gentleman (Smith) was from my district, and you have an at-large appointment, too. I think whoever is appointed needs to be someone interested in supporting and growing the library and making sure it’s thriving the way it needs to be.”
District 2 supervisor Orlando Trainer pointed out the appointee only needs to be from the county, and it did not matter which district they live in.
“Library leaders are very important for the growth and prosperity of the system,” Trainer told The Dispatch. “I am not adamant about the time frame, but it needs filling soon in my opinion. I am not certain what the issue is but hopefully it will be resolved quickly.”
District 1 supervisor John Montgomery said he wanted to speak with Cooke to see where he stands on the LGBT book issue, but Cooke said as of Friday no supervisor has reached out to him. Montgomery gave no indication of which way he wanted the new library board direction to lean.
“I may give the current applicant a call because I’d like to know their feelings about (certain books being displayed),” Montgomery said at the May 16 meeting.
Book selection
Library director Phillip Carter said it is important to have a diverse catalog within the library because it helps represent the public fully.
“Diversity is essential in a public library collection because it allows all members of the community, regardless of whatever device we as human beings use to divide ourselves, find themselves represented in our public library collection,“ Carter told The Dispatch in an email.
“Additionally, a diverse collection is essential for allowing our patrons the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills while allowing for the freedom to learn about and engage in ideas, cultures, fields of study, and literature that are not as readily available in their personal communities. The American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights states in Article I that ‘books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.’ Furthermore, a diverse collection should contain content by and about a wide array of people and cultures to authentically reflect a variety of ideas, information, stories, and experiences.”
Library board president Sue Minchew said the board values open-mindedness and willingness to be vocal in meetings. They would like the new member to also have previous experience with dealing with funding.
Cooke is a Jackson native, but he’s lived in Starkville since 1989. The retired Mississippi State University geoscience professor said Minchew suggested he apply for the seat, and he was immediately interested.
“Sue Minchew called me and asked me about my willingness to serve,” Cooke said. “It was not something I was seeking, but when she mentioned that it had something to do with the library, my interest was piqued right away. Obviously in the academic world, libraries are important, and I’ve been observing (public libraries) for years how they’ve kind of struggled to maintain funding and relevance in terms of so much digital media these days.”
Board make-up
The library board consists of 10 members, five from the city of Starkville and five from Oktibbeha County. Each term is five years long, and the current seat the supervisors are looking to fill will be up on September 30.
Minchew said the board has a wide array of duties including hiring and firing of library personnel.
“The board of directors is an oversight board, but we have the ability to hire and fire,” Minchew said. “We meet every other month, and the meetings are all open to the public. We approve the budget and look at budgetary items and say where different things go.”
Anyone interested in the position can apply by letting a county supervisor or the library know.
The Oktibbeha County board of supervisors is expected to make a decision on the library board appointment at the first regular meeting of June on Monday, June 6 at 9 a.m.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion