Rhea Young, Library Director for Montgomery County, has been on the job for less than a year but in recent weeks she has come under considerable criticism for failing to balance gender ideology books with those that offer traditional views. County Commissioners heard from several residents on both sides of the issue during its July 11 meeting,  then went into an executive session. They returned and gave Young a vote of full confidence. However, commissioners agreed to add more approved vendors in order to provide a balanced selection of books. They also agreed that certain objectionable books in the children’s area should be moved to the adult section and restricted for checkout to adults over 18.

Ryan Hutson, a member of the library’s Citizens Reconsideration Committee, told commissioners that Young had ignored a nine page letter in which he outlined his concerns about the policies and procedures for reviewing harmful material. When he alleged that Young had lied about him to elected officials, Commissioner James Noack interrupted and did not allow him to finish. After the meeting, Hutson said, “I found it ironic that he silenced and prevented me from speaking publicly at the meeting, and then moments later cited the first amendment to justify keeping books with content harmful to children on the shelves of the library.”

Local mom Michele Nuckolls said, “I have been asking Ms. Young to purchase ‘God Made Girls and Boys’. I asked if she would speak to why she would not place the book, and again she lied and said it was because she can’t purchase books not provided by these two vendors.”

Some residents spoke in favor of gender ideology books. Natalie Ward told commissioners she has eight grandkids, two of which are trans and said, “I would like to keep them alive.” She noted that Montgomery County is growing and has become more diverse over the years and that officials should “let our libraries reflect that diversity.”

A few people spoke out against banning books, but several others insisted that this was not about banning, but rather where books are placed.

At the end of the meeting, local mom Shayla Parker requested certain changes be made to the Citizens Reconsideration Committee so that citizens’ recommendations must be taken more seriously. Currently recommendations are non-binding.