Community members gathered in Franklin this week to show their support for the Macon County Library.
Friends of the library presented a giant rainbow check to staff. Lenny Jordan was one of the people who helped raise the funds. He read comments from those who donated. More than 280 people donated over $30,000 by Tuesday afternoon.
“In honor of library staff past and present. One was thanks for standing up. Another one was this is for the educational and intellectual growth of the people of Macon County,” said Jordan. He says he’s lived in Franklin since 1999.
During the county’s budget discussions in June, a $20,000 increase became a sticking point for some commissioners after they learned of a Pride display at the library. Karen Wallace is director of the Fontana Regional Library.
“When commissioners heard about the Pride display, I think for some of them it made an impact on their willingness to give the library more money,” said Wallace.
Wallace said while the library’s budget was increased it didn’t receive all of the funds requested. There are three libraries in Macon County with 29 employees. The Fontana Regional Library system works together to manage six libraries across Macon, Jackson and Swain counties. The library is a nonprofit that survives on a combination of donations, state and local funding as well as grants.
“To be clear the county did give us a 5 percent increase this year, its just that we had other costs going up as well not just employee costs so this has really helped make the difference,” said Wallace.
At the June 15th county commissioner’s meeting, library board trustee Bill Dyer said that the library has only received an increase of 5 percent in funding over the last 10 years.
“This negative pattern has the greatest impact on library staff and their retention. The starting salary for library staff as an employee is $10 an hour,” said Dyer.
Some Macon County Commissioners condemned the library’s Pride display. Speaking at a meeting June 15th, Paul Higdon said he thinks LGBTQ issues are a private difference of belief.
“I’m straight and a Christian and I’m not seeking a month-long celebration for either one. Because I’m not seeking the approval of man just the approval of God,” said Higdon.
But many spoke in support of the library. Community member Jared Gant said the library is a safe space for his five-year-old daughter. He explained that Pride is meant to be an inclusive event.
“Historically, people who are opposed to the civil rights and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people make every effort to silence and marginalize those they don’t disagree with them – and Pride doesn’t do that,” said Gant at the meeting.
On Tuesday at the Macon County Library there were displays on anxiety, planning a road trip, feminism, ocean animals and national anti-boredom month.
