Jackson County Public Library board trustees alongside Library Director Grace Powell convened July 2 to discuss board bylaws and system updates — and yet the most informative aspect of the meeting is what was left unsaid.
JCPL on July 1 officially separated from the Fontana Regional Library system. However, Jackson County appears to have set up its library without a clear governance structure. Contradictory messaging about the role of the current board could be one contributing factor. Concern about trustees’ responsibilities surfaced soon after the meeting commenced during informal public comment.
“The bylaws have established this board as an advisory body, and my hope is that it does not exist merely to create the appearance of fair community oversight, while the real direction of our new library system is determined elsewhere,” said Rachel Humphrey, adding that librarians and trustees, unlike those “interested in advancing personal, religious and political agendas,” possess the expertise needed to govern JCPL.
Trustee Lauren Baxley, addressing the statement, noted that the bylaws were consistent with previous board iterations. That said, she explained, the document typically does not outline library commitments to viewpoint neutrality, equal access and acting in service of every resident, principles Humphrey had pressed trustees to include.
“Some of those specific statements will be found in other policies,” Baxley told the audience.
But Baxley wasn’t sure what those policies would look like. She later posed a question demonstrating just how little had been communicated by commissioners.
“I was just curious, when all of this transition initially took place, I know that [Trustee Beth James] asked about the long-range plan and all of that. At that point they had said our board would be working on those things. Are those still things that we will be doing as a board? Do we know what our objectives are for coming months?” she asked.
While in the past, advisory trustees would consult the governing FRL body on certain issues — and membership overlapped between boards — Chair Linda Potter on July 2 informed other appointees of an entirely different purpose.
“[Powell] will be working on policies. We have not been given that charge,” she responded.
“Those [policies] have to be voted on by the commissioners,” explained Powell.
After the meeting, however, The Smoky Mountain News received conflicting information.
“The library board, along with me, will implement the new policies, including the collection development policy which governs how we select new materials,” Powell wrote in a July 6 email.
She alluded to an inability to obtain information — alongside what seemed to be exclusion from library management — when responding to Humphrey’s concerns about the community room utilization policy at the start of the session.
“I am in constant contact, asking for updates. And so that is unfortunately out of our hands,” she said.
The Jackson Library Director job description posted February 2026 maintains that said position “will plan, organize, direct, evaluate, and review the county’s library resources, personnel, facilities, services and programs to respond to the needs of the community. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Manager.”
County Manager Kevin King was absent July 2.
Placing such restrictions on the JCPL director constitutes an unusual method of governance not considered best practice by state nor the American Library Association. According to the Library of North Carolina, library directors are responsible for informing the board of necessary policy changes or implementations which then become official guidelines of the system. The board, if in an advisory role, would “recommend policies to governing body.”
Yet despite Powell’s email to SMN, the collection development policy on July 2 went without mention. She and board members were tasked only with deciding such details as the fines and fees schedule and automatic renewals. Both were kept identical to FRL guidelines due to some trustees’ desire to preserve continuity through the transition period.
Generally, JCPL will apply two auto-renewals — with the option to request a third renewal — to library materials that haven’t been placed on hold by another patron. Any overdue item but a reference book or AV equipment is subject to a daily 25-cent fine up to a $10 maximum payment. Reference books and AV equipment incur a $2 daily fine and up to a $50 maximum payment.
The fines and fees vote was unanimous; automatic renewals was near-unanimous, with all in favor but Trustee David Parker.
James was not in attendance July 2, though an email she’d sent with recommendations sparked the idea of hosting a reopening celebration at both libraries. According to Powell, the Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library — with only two staff members — wouldn’t have enough capacity to host, though she and others thought the Sylva branch could accommodate such an event in late August or early September.
Powell also shared updates about library management and logistics. While users’ FRL cards will still work, she encouraged the public to try out the new JCPL cards as well. Patrons will retain access to Libby but must re-verify their accounts.
“Just remove your card, add it back, and you’re going to get to select ‘Jackson County Public Library.’ You will keep all of your history, you will keep all of your current checkouts, and all of your goals,” she explained, adding that Kanopy works the same way.
JCPL has created a Facebook page and provisional website located under Jackson County – Departments – Public Library.
NC Cardinal and NC LIVE are active and can accept FRL or JCPL cards.
Monthly programing will continue, from adult workshops to youth activities to summer bingo, and schedules will be posted in a new library newsletter.
According to a Jackson County news release, Tech Time is paused temporarily but is expected to restart as soon as possible.
The release also noted that beginning July 6, the Sylva and Cashiers libraries opened with regular weekly schedules. The Historic Jackson County Courthouse location will be closed Sundays, open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m., to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library will be closed each Sunday and Monday, open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The meeting wrapped up with Powell’s announcement of two open full-time positions — assistant one and assistant director — in Sylva and three — branch manager, assistant one and administrative assistant — in Cashiers.
She clarified later that JCPL will adopt FRL policies as interim guidelines pending board discussion and approval.
“I do not have a date for when the board will discuss all of the policies, but the discussion will be on the agenda that is available for public request before the meeting when we are ready,” Powell informed SMN.
The board reconvenes Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.