The North Shelby Library District is unique among library boards in the state as a public corporation with elected officials who are directly accountable to residents.

The Shelby County Legislative Delegation has introduced a bill to change that and implement another unique proposal: to take board appointments into their own hands. The delegation includes Congressman Arnold Mooney, Susan DuBose, and Jim Cairns, all Republicans.

In a statement Monday morning, the delegation said House Bill 89 would make board selections “consistent with elections for public library boards across the state,” but the new process would soon become the norm for most library boards. He pointed out how they differ.

“The Statewide Public Library Board is elected by elected officials of the county or city in which the library operates,” the delegation said in a statement. “NSL does not operate under the authority of county or city governments. HB 89 provides that the NSL Board of Directors shall be elected by Shelby County Council members representing the geographic area of ​​her NSL district. doing.”

Mr. Dubose had a public spat with the board, while at the same time airing concerns about gay children's books across the state.

At a meeting where the board voted to continue exhibiting LGBTQ+ children's books, DuBose characterized the board's unique situation as a lack of accountability despite the board members being elected. Ta.

“This particular library board has complete authority over the library,” DuBose told far-right media. “They don't report to anyone…They make all the policy, spending, hiring decisions for that library…Unfortunately, they don't vote…simply on whether they think an exhibit or program is age-appropriate. This is to get the council to vote…” It was rejected. ”

Marcia Sturdevant, chairwoman of the Shelby County Democratic Party, said she remembers hearing DuBose say something similar: “She could fire the board.”

Three Shelby County council members said in a joint statement that there has not actually been an election to elect a board member since 1998. Sturdevant explained to APR that elections have not been held for years because there are only qualified people to serve on the board. . As with large town councils, all candidates are vying for her five seats rather than individual districts.

Mooney told APR by phone that the bill was filed in response to voters, even though the board will be up for election again in September and voters have the power to make their voices heard directly to the board. He said there is.

The North Shelby Library District has been battling what it calls “misinformation” from DuBose. But officials told APR that because of the library district's status as a 501(c)3, the board and president cannot comment directly on the bill. As a result, the board would be unable to oppose bills that directly affect it.

As the bill is written, a three-person delegation could “elect” a new director starting June 1, and existing directors would serve “until a new director is elected in accordance with this Act.” . The bill would allow delegates to immediately appoint all five current board members on June 1 or the next day, with new members taking office immediately after the election, and oust current board members up to four months before the election. It is designed to. date.

Dubose harshly criticized the library board, and the board responded directly to her comments.

“One of the comments we receive frequently is that the 'community' came to the June NSL board meeting to demand that the Pride display be removed from the Children's Bureau,” the board said in a statement. “Although there were many community members present at the meeting, there was no 'community' consensus on display.” Attendees had mixed feelings about the exhibit. In fact, more people in favor of keeping the display signed up than those in favor of removing it.

“Of the more than 8,600 people who visited the library in June, only about 1 percent commented on the exhibits. The library received 76 supportive written comments and 39 negative written comments. We received comments from: Additionally, library visits in June 2023 increased by more than 3,000 people compared to the previous year, and summer reading program enrollment and attendance also increased compared to the previous year.”

The board also addressed comments that “the board will not consider or act on requests to remove exhibits in the children's section.”

“This is a mistake,” the board said. “The Board considered a motion submitted to change library policy. This change included the requirement that the Board conduct reviews (programs), exhibits, or exhibits held in the library. The board has voted to maintain existing library policy.”

DuBose also described the display as “huge.” The NSL board provided accurate measurements.

“On display was a set of approximately 4-foot by 6-foot bookshelves in the children's department with an 8.5-inch by 11-inch sign that read, 'Take pride in reading.'” She also stated that all the books on the shelves contained transgender subject matter, which is also false,'' the committee said.

The committee also took issue with public statements made in recent months about many public libraries in the state that librarians work to indoctrinate children.

“Other recent public statements accusing librarians of indoctrinating children are completely false and baseless,” the board said. “A statement made by Congresswoman Dubose in a recent radio interview refers to libraries in her district where people are “afraid to ask librarians to help children find books,'' or to let children roam free.'' He said he was afraid to do so. The NSL Board of Directors agrees with the last part of her statement, as it is contrary to NSL's Unattended Child Policy to allow children to be “free-range.” Parents and/or legal guardians are solely responsible for their minor children/fees at all times and are expected to follow Library policies at all times. ”