Library board seats blocked

By Kevin O’Brien

Three appointments to Marathon County’s library board were rejected last week by county board supervisors who were unhappy with a recent decision by the board to keep controversial sex education books in the children’s sections.

Library board president Sharon Hunter was denied a new three-year term on the board, as was supervisor Michelle Van Krey, Wausau. The appointment of a new member, Kay Palmer, was also blocked. All three were nominated by county administrator Lance Leonhard, who is responsible under state statute for making appointments subject to the county board’s approval.

The vote to approve the appointments failed, 12-20, at the board’s December 13 regular meeting. To fill the vacancies, Leonhard will need to bring forward a new slate of appointees for the board to vote on at a future meeting.

Several supervisors said they were voting against the appointments due to the library board’s November 28 decision not to move two books – “Making a Baby” and “You Be You! The Kid’s Guide to Gender, Sexuality and Family” – out of the juvenile shelves, as requested by residents who consider the books to be inappropriate or “pornographic.”

Board vice-chairman Craig McEwen said the library board needs “a new direction” after it refused to take the public’s concerns seriously regarding the controversial children’s books.

“What I witnessed at the last two library board meetings was a lack of diversity of thought,” he said, citing the unanimous decisions against the patrons’ requests.

McEwen criticized library board members for dismissing the public’s concerns, and said they need to do a better job of “honestly” looking at all sides of issues, regardless of their personal beliefs and the opinions of the American Library Association. He said they need to listen more to Marathon County parents who are worried about the safety of their kids.

Supervisor Tony Sherfinski, Schofield, said the judgment of Hunter and Van Krey is “completely suspect,” given their response to the “strong and consistent” public outcry against the books targeted for removal. He said their actions “do not reflect the current will of at least a sizable portion of the Marathon County public” -- though he acknowledged that a survey of citizens has not been done on the issue.

Sherfinski noted that compromises were offered – to move the books to the adult section or behind the counter – but they were rejected with “a huge display of hubris” by the library board.

Two county residents, Joanne Leonard and Shantese Tarpey, also spoke during public comment in opposition to the appointments, both citing concerns with the library board’s decision-making.

“I’m pleading with this board of supervisors to only approve people who are going to stand for the values of this community and protect our children,” Tarpey said.

Supervisor Van Krey, speaking in defense of herself and other library board members, said the idea that a majority of county residents want to remove books from the library is “speculation.” She said those against the books are “loud and upset, so it may seem like the majority,” but her own experience has suggested otherwise.

“For the first time in my life – I have been engaged in this community for seven, eight years – I have been recognized in public and I have been thanked for the work I have done advocating for the library,” she said. “For me, that speaks volumes to how the community actually feels about this.”

Van Krey said she’d respect the county board’s decision not to reappoint her, “but I’m not going to stop advocating for the library or the people of Marathon County.”

Supervisors Ann Lemmer and John Robinson, along with board chairman Kurt Gibbs, all spoke in favor of appointing Van Krey, Hunter and Palmer. Contrary to what other supervisors claimed, Lemmer said the library board took the public’s concerns seriously and spent a lot of time reviewing the challenged books.

“They’ve been very responsive,” she said. “I’m proud of our library board. I love the library.”

The board’s discussion also focused attention on the appointment process itself, which is led by the county administrator.

Supervisor Tim Sondelski said he received an email from a constituent who had applied for a seat on the library board, but was never called for an interview. He said he opposed the proposed appointees because “they’re not doing the will of the people.”

Leonhard said he interviewed every applicant he was aware of, based on those who submitted an application through the county’s website, which offers a “citizen participation form” for those interested in serving on a board, commission or committee. He said 14 people have used the form to express interest in the library board, 10 of which have been interviewed, and four of whom have been successfully appointed.

The form asks potential applicants why they are interested in serving on the board and what qualifications they have for the position. Leonhard then asks them additional questions during a phone interview, including one about how they would work to accomplish the library’s mission, to “enrich lives by promoting lifelong learning and actively providing the community with access to ideas, information and opportunities to connect.”

When it comes to reappointing current board members, Leonhard said he simply asks those people if they are interested in serving another term before presenting their names to the full county board. He said he would adopt a new process if that’s what the board wants.

“I work for the board,” he said. “You guys tell me what to do, and I will gladly do it. That is my job.”

Supervisor David Baker, Kronenwetter, said he disagreed with the process of just reappointing current members without interviewing other applicants, comparing it to supervisors choosing to serve additional terms without being reelected by voters. “That probably wouldn’t go over very well with our constituents,” he said.

As a member of the Extension, Education and Economic Development Committee, Baker said he tried to get additional information on the library board applicants, but it didn’t make it onto the agenda. Without knowing more, he said he could not support the appointments.

Supervisor Chris Dickinson, Stratford, said he would’ve appreciated the opportunity for the board to interview alternatives to the current library members, in an attempt to “make amends” over the challenged books controversy.

“I do think there is a lack of public trust from some people in our county, and I think that puts us in a position where we simply have to say ‘Let’s start fresh,’” he said.

Supervisor Jacob Langenhahn, Marathon, made a motion to “divide the question” so board members could vote individually on each of the three appointees, but that motion failed to pass on a 16-16 tie, so one motion was made for all three. Langenhahn chided his fellow board members for preventing separate votes.

“You have stonewalled certain people who feel differently about the candidates in front of us into voting a certain way,” he said. “So, thank you very much for not allowing us to vote the way we want to represent our districts.”