Honor our heritage, protect our libraries
To the Editor:
The decision facing Jackson County’s leaders is more than an administrative matter. It is a test of values. Will our commissioners uphold the long tradition of education, cooperation and integrity that has defined our community, or will they yield to a small, insistent minority determined to restrict access to educational information under the false banner of protecting children?
Since 1944, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties have worked together through the Fontana Regional Library system to deliver quality library services that no single county could afford alone. That collaboration has ensured efficient use of taxpayer dollars while providing access to modern technology, professional librarians and shared resources. In today’s digital world, such partnership is not just practical. It is essential.
Independent analyses show that leaving the Fontana Regional Library would not save money. In fact, it would increase local costs by at least half a million dollars every year. The numbers are clear. Withdrawal is neither a financially sound nor a fiscally conservative decision.
Despite these facts, a small and persistently vocal group continues to press for withdrawal. Their presence at county meetings is regular, but their numbers are tiny compared to the hundreds of residents who have spoken out to remain in the system. This minority’s agenda is not about budgets. It is about ideology. At the June 3 meeting, several of these individuals equated LGBTQ+ books with “grooming.” There is no evidence to support that claim. On the contrary, decades of peer-reviewed studies show that inclusive literature helps young readers develop confidence and self-worth. Removing those books would not shield children. It would silence them.
Public libraries have always been one of the most democratic and community-centered institutions in America. Jackson County’s library system exists because of generations of volunteers and donors who believed in the power of knowledge. From the women’s clubs of the early twentieth century to the volunteers who renovated our historic courthouse into a public library, each generation has strengthened that legacy of learning. To turn away from that shared heritage now would betray their vision and sacrifice.
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Leadership is not about standing firm in error. It is about recognizing when a choice, made under pressure or misinformation, must be reconsidered. Jackson County still has that chance. The withdrawal will not take effect until June 30, 2026, giving the commissioners ample time to reverse course with dignity and unity.
Staying in the Fontana Regional Library system is the path of wisdom and integrity. It protects our taxpayers, honors our history, supports our children and strengthens our community. Commissioners, this is your opportunity to affirm what Jackson County has always stood for, a commitment to learning, cooperation and respect for all people.
Allen Lomax
Sylva
