Jackson appoints two new members to library board
Jackson County Public Library. File photo
The Jackson County Commission, with two new commissioners seated this month, chose to appoint two new members to the public library board, despite requests from two incumbent board members for reappointment and comments in support of them from the public.
At its Dec. 3 meeting, the Jackson County Commission welcomed Michael Jennings and Jenny Lynn Hooper to the board, who had been sworn in at an organizational meeting on Dec. 2. One of the first issues the commission addressed with its new membership was to fill two spots on the public library board.
Maggie Carton and Boyd Sossamon had both been serving on the library board and their terms were expiring at the end of the year. Sossamon had been serving since he stepped in December 2021 to fill the unexpired term of Sheryl Rudd, and Carton had joined the board in January 2023 to fill the unexpired term of Rebecca Bryson.
Carton came to speak before commissioners at the December meeting and said that both her and Sossamon hoped to be reappointed to the library board because they enjoyed the work and the ability to serve their community in that capacity.
“I believe that I have the experience that’s relevant for this role and that was what led to my original appointment two years ago,” said Carton.
Carton worked as a financial executive for Coca-Cola enterprises and has lived in Cashiers for 20 years. Since 2005, she has served on Vision Cashiers, Friends of Panthertown, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cashiers and Highlands, Panthertown Map Association and the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.
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During her time working on the library board, Carton chaired both the Jackson County Public Library Board and the Fontana Regional Library Board.
“This is a challenging time for libraries across the United States and I’m pleased that with the stewardship of the Fontana Regional Library Director Tracy Fitzmaurice, the new FRL agreement was executed during my tenure as FRL board chair,” said Carton. “In addition, we have implemented a new child safety policy and a restricted child card option for parents that has been approved and will be implemented shortly.”
The three counties that make up the Fontana Regional Library system just reached a consensus on an updated interlocal agreement after almost two years of controversy. What started with complaints about certain books in circulation at FRL turned into a lengthy look at how the FRL functions and an attempt to rewrite some of its rules.
Fontana Regional Library formed in 1944 when the Tennessee Valley Authority sponsored a regional bookmobile to visit the most remote areas of Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
Today, the system offers full library services to rural counties that might not otherwise be able to fund them. By combining cataloging, human resources, finance departments and information technology services for libraries in the three counties, it is cheaper for each county than if they were to provide for each of those departments individually. The regional agreement is renewed every 10 years and can be dissolved or withdrawn from at any time.
Under the new agreement, county commissions not only have the power to appoint members to each prospective public library board; they also have the power to appoint members from the public library board to the Fontana Regional Library Board that oversees the whole FRL system. “I am hopeful you will give me the opportunity to continue to serve on these library boards and contribute back to our community in this capacity by reappointing me tonight,” said Carton during public comment at the Dec. 3 meeting.
Two other members of the public came to speak in favor of both Carton and Sossamon.
“I’ve had the privilege of attending both county and regional library board meetings this past year and I’ve seen firsthand how skilled and efficient Maggie has been in chairing the meetings,” said Pat Steinbrook. “She has consistently demonstrated her knowledge and her competence and her commitment to libraries and our community.”
“Maggie and Boyd are extraordinarily experienced and qualified,” Steinbrook continued. “The citizens of Jackson County and the whole Fontana region are fortunate that they are willing and eager to continue their terms.”
Another member of the public took to the podium in support of reappointing Carton and Sossamon, noting the importance of having experienced members on public boards. “[Sossamon’s] renewal and Margaret’s renewal will provide a continuity that I see here with the commissioners,” the public speaker said. “Three stayed, two new members, which is the way I think committees and boards need to operate because you need to bring the experience along with the new ideas.”
Other than Mary Gelbaugh, who serves on the library board as a representative of the Town of Sylva, Sossamon is the longest-serving board member on the public library board, having stepped in to fill an unexpired term in December 2021. Every other member has been serving since 2023 or later.
In addition to the requests for reappointment from Carton and Sossamon, the commission received two applications from Marva Jennings and Kitti Chisholm.
Jennings lives in Glenville and is employed by Mountain Meadows.
Chisholm lives in Whittier. On her application said that she was a concerned citizen with computer, office work and volunteer experience. She also said she is an avid reader. Chisholm did not list a place of employment but under personal affiliations listed Jackson County GOP.
When the time came for motions to appoint new board members or reappoint current board members, Commissioner John Smith made a motion to appoint Marva Jennings and Commissioner Hooper made a motion to appoint Kitti Chisholm. The board approved these motions unanimously, without discussion.
