The Courtroom of the Yancey County Courthouse was packed last night for the regular monthly meeting of the County Commissioners. The crowd was there to hear more about the Yancey County Public Library.
Discussions about the library started with concerns about a LGBTQ Pride display at the Yancey library during the month of June. Some said the display should not have been there. Others are concerned that the library be a place where all people feel welcome.
The Yancey County Commissioners have made an effort to become more involved with proceedings for the Yancey County Public Library and in August appointed Stacey McEntyre Greene, member of the Yancey Commissioners to the library local board.
On Monday night, commissioners appointed new members to the library’s board. The members appointed to the local board were Christy Byrd, Shelia Poehler and Anna Webb. Julia Silvers and Gail Parker are current members of the board and were appointed for additional terms. Andrew Waterman was appointed to the local board and is also on the regional board. The other two recently appointed by the commissioners were Michelle Presnell and Christie Edwards.
Some at the meeting said the newly-appointed members are looking to censor materials in books. Officials from the library said there are no obscenities and all books are properly separated between adults and children.
Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library Regional director Amber Westall pointed out that a child can’t get a library card without consent from an adult. She also said “When you see me, see that I have a community of people behind me. “They are Christian and non-Christian, straight and LGTBQ+, they’re here with all of us.”
Yancey County Commission Chairman Jeff Whitson said. “We’re not getting rid of any books. We’re not banning, nor censoring anything that the public library has. We’re making the playing ground level, and we’re not going to be putting up with any kind of religious, political or ethnic displays because it brings discord.”
Over a Dozen citizens spoke about the library during the public comments time. Many said the public needs to come together on this matter and not have a divided community.
