The Avery-Mitchell-Yancey (AMY) Regional Library board met on May 23rd and updated their policies on social media posts, censorship and book displays. A controversy erupted last June at the Yancey library over a display during Pride month. Community members took issue with the display and called for Yancey to leave the 3-county library system. Due to contracts and finances Yancey remained in the system.
According to the new policy, any displays must meet certain guidelines including community needs and interests, availability of display space, historical, cultural or educational significance and budget allowance. Information on the new policies can be found at the library’s website www.amyregionallibrary.org/policies.
The library’s Intellectual Freedom and Censorship policy states “Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction,” and ” Only parents and legal guardians have the right and responsibility to restrict the access of their children to library resources.” According to the new policy, the final responsibility is held by the library director.
The Board also updated procedure for filing complaints to the library. To submit a complaint you must be a member of the AMY Regional Library. The new policies were approved in a 7 to 3 vote. Board members are: Josh Smith, Frank Hughes, Nancy Burleson, Steve Rowland, Michelle Presnell, Christy Edwards, Buddy Waterman, Margaret Teal, board chairman Luther Stroup and Regional Director Amber Westall. Clayton Roberts is also on the board but was absent from the meeting.
