 - The Fremont County Library System Board of Trustees voted 3-2 last week to remove any references to the American Library Association from FCLS bylaws, policies, handbooks, strategic plans, promotions, posters, and other documents.){kind=link}
(Dubois, WY) – The Fremont County Library System Board of Trustees voted 3-2 last week to remove any references to the American Library Association from FCLS bylaws, policies, handbooks, strategic plans, promotions, posters, and other documents.
The move came after a 45-day public comment period that drew more than 250 responses from local residents – the majority of whom opposed the proposal.
Board Member Perry Cook referenced that majority opinion when she made a motion last week to rescind the ALA proposition.
“Basically over two-thirds of the responses were against removing the ALA language from our policies and procedures,” Cook said during the Dec. 4 board meeting. “People have spoken, and we need to respect that, regardless of what our own personal feelings are.”
Board Member Karen Wetzel countered, however, that 250 citizen comments “are not sufficient to gauge what the total number of residents – let alone the total number of library patrons – in Fremont County believe.”
“We, as a board, are tasked with creating and changing policies that we believe are representative of the whole of Fremont County residents – not only a small group of people that may have the loudest voices,” Wetzel said.
Board Member Marta Mossburg agreed with Wetzel that the number of responses received during the public comment period “represents a tiny, tiny fraction of those who live and work in our county.”
She also added that “majorities often make terrible decisions,” pointing out that, in the past, “a majority of people thought women and landless people and people of color shouldn’t vote.”
“So, I’m not going to be swayed by the majority unless the majority is correct, in my opinion,” Mossburg said.
Cook’s motion to rescind the ALA proposal failed.
It wasn’t long before Cook made another motion, however – this time requesting an attorney’s opinion as to whether the ALA proposal was “legally approved” in the first place.
The proposition was initially voted in by board members “who were not legally appointed,” Cook pointed out, and another board member – Mossburg – has “a perceived conflict of interest” in the matter due to her involvement with the World Library Association, but she hasn’t recused herself from the decision.
As in previous meetings, Mossburg rejected the idea that her association with the WLA constitutes a conflict of interest, reiterating that “I have never and will never have any personal gain – either just personal reputation or financial gain – from my affiliation with the World Library Association.”
But Library Director Anita Marple said the issue could go beyond personal gain in this case.
“There are competing organizations – that’s a conflict of interest,” Marple explained. “You’re involved with an organization that exists – that was created – to be anti-ALA, (and) you actually didn’t declare your affiliation with that organization. …
“It’s wise to put this vote on hold and get the legal opinion, because I anticipate there might be legal challenges if this passes.”
Cook’s motion to solicit a legal opinion on the matter failed despite Marple’s recommendation, and the board voted 3-2 to approve the ALA proposal, with Wetzel, Mossburg, and Board Chair Kristen McClelland voting “yes” and Cook and Board Member Julie Lefevre voting “no.”