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To: Board of County Commissioners

Reinstate the Randolph County, NC, Library Board

Following a challenge to the book Call Me Max by a special interest group in November 2025, during which the library board voted to maintain the book, the Randolph County, North Carolina Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 to dissolve the entire library board.

Commissioner David Allen stated, “We are removing an entire board. Statute states that individual board members can be removed for four causes… incapacity, unfitness for position, misconduct, neglect of duty.” However, the County Commissioner could not provide a specific reason or policy violation leading to the dissolution. In fact, Commissioner Lester Rivenbark, who voted to dismiss the board, admitted, “I don’t think there is any question that they followed the policies that were in place. That’s never crossed my mind that they didn’t follow policies.”

Why is this important?

Removing an entire board — publicly acknowledged to have followed procedure — undermines public trust, destabilizes library governance, and sets a precedent that political pressure can override established bylaws.

We call on the Board of County Commissioners to reinstate the library board to safeguard the library’s mission to cultivate a thriving community by nurturing readers, empowering learners, and creating connections.

Please sign and share this petition if you agree.

Randolph County, NC, USA

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Updates

2026-06-02 22:03:30 -0400

Thank you to everyone who attended the Read-In and Commissioners' meeting last night. We had excellent speakers during the public comment period and quite a surprise when the Trustee Appointments were removed from the agenda! Listen to this brief story by WFDD for a recap of what happened. https://www.wfdd.org/politics-government/2026-06-02/randolph-commission-holds-off-on-appointing-new-library-trustees

2026-06-01 19:00:01 -0400

Supporters attended "Read-In VI on June 1"

2026-05-04 19:00:05 -0400

Supporters attended "Read-In V on May 4th"

2026-04-02 09:47:08 -0400

Dear friends,

Thank you again for standing with our public library.

Here are a few updates:
Read my latest blog post here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HRhz-YhweKHgNgNFLe36RM5ZfRAwYZ4DxdUb-cl5OAo/edit?usp=sharing

Watch highlights of speakers from the March 2 Board of Commissioners meeting here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEWkCzRh-vI

And please join us for the fourth Read-In before the next commissioners meeting:
Monday, April 6
5 p.m. — Read-In at the Old Courthouse
6 p.m. — Commissioners meeting

Bring a book and join us in a quiet, visible show of support for our library and librarians. Since April is National Poetry Month, a book of poetry would be especially fitting.

Thank you for your continued support.

With appreciation,
Todd

2026-01-31 09:02:57 -0500

500 signatures reached

2026-01-20 08:49:36 -0500

100 signatures reached

2026-01-19 12:04:07 -0500

50 signatures reached

2026-01-18 08:18:36 -0500

25 signatures reached

2026-01-17 20:11:18 -0500

10 signatures reached