100 signatures reached
To: Clark County Council. Skamania County Commissioners, Klickitat County Commissioners
Build a Better Board for FVRLibraries
.jpeg)
The FVRLibraries Board of Trustees, serving Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania County in Southwest Washington, have acted in a manner that impacts public trust in a vital public institution.
At the January 26, 2026 FVRLibraries Board of Trustees Meeting, Kristy Morgan, Position #7 (Clark County at-Large), Marie Coffey, Position #4 (Clark County At-Large), Irina Kakorina Position #1 (Clark County At-Large), Olga Hodges, Position #6 (Klickitat County), and now former member, Mary Ann Duncan-Cole, Position #3 (Skamania County) wasted tax payer money and ignored the will of the people to vote for their own version of a strategic plan that is not aligned with library values or the will of the public.
First, the Board has effectively wasted approximately $400,000 in taxpayer funds by refusing to accept a completed strategic plan that they themselves commissioned. Kristy Morgan, Position #7 (Clark County At-Large) objected to the inclusion of the word “equity” at the November 2025 meeting. Discarding a comprehensive, professionally developed strategic plan on this basis alone reflects poor stewardship of public resources.
Second, the Board ignored extensive public comment urging acceptance of the strategic plan as written. Community members, library workers, and stakeholders from across Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties clearly and repeatedly voiced their support for the plan and its values. Disregarding this input undermines the purpose of public engagement and signals that community voices are not being meaningfully considered.
Third, these actions appear inconsistent with the Board of Trustees’ own ethics and governance standards. Trustees are expected to act in good faith, respect the democratic process, and prioritize the long-term health of the institution they oversee. Decisions that appear ideologically driven rather than evidence-based raise serious concerns about whether those standards are being upheld.
Finally, the cumulative effect of these choices is a degradation of public trust in a public library system that exists to serve everyone. Libraries rely on credibility, transparency, and community confidence. When trustees dismiss professional work, ignore public input, and expend public funds without accountability, that trust is eroded.
Based on the facts provided, the county councils need to remove the above listed trustees, (Mary Ann Duncan-Cole has since resigned), and build a library board that truly supports and upholds public library values and supports free speech. Oversight and accountability are essential to ensuring that appointed trustees act in alignment with the public interest and the ethical responsibilities of their role.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Why is this important?
Public libraries belong to all of us. They are funded by taxpayers, shaped by community needs, and grounded in the principles of access, transparency, and trust.
Right now, that trust is at risk.
The current board has:
- Wasted taxpayer money on a strategic planning process that they later refused to accept.
- Disregarded overwhelming public input calling for the plan to be adopted as written.
- Taken steps that limit access to information, undermining the core mission of public libraries.
When public officials ignore the community, sideline expert work, and restrict access to knowledge, it affects everyone — families, students, seniors, small businesses, and anyone who relies on the library as a free and open resource.
“Build a Better Board” is about restoring:
- Fiscal responsibility
- Respect for public input
- Transparency and ethical governance
- Full and equitable access to information
This campaign isn’t partisan. It’s about accountability. It’s about ensuring that the library board reflects the values of the community it serves.
If you believe public institutions should listen to the public, steward tax dollars responsibly, and defend intellectual freedom, we invite you to stand with us.
Because a strong library requires strong leadership.