Amelia County supervisors debate library turmoil, reappoint trustees and add an at-large member

A dispute over operations, turnover and trustee oversight at the James O'Hare Public Library dominated the Amelia County Board of Supervisors' May 27 meeting, prompting emotional exchanges and several appointments.

Board members read emails from a former library employee and a concerned citizen that described “intolerable working conditions,” repeated staff departures and service interruptions. The resignation letter — entered into the record by a board member — said staff had lost “trust, respect and faith in the library staff” and urged a pause of certain programs while leadership problems were resolved. The board also received a citizen letter arguing the trustees had not provided adequate oversight and suggesting a potential conflict of interest involving trustee relationships with library supporters.

Joy Worsham, identified in the record as the current trustees' chair, told the board she had not been directly contacted about the concerns and defended the steps trustees took to keep services running. “Not one time, have I been contacted directly to ask what's been going on with the library,” Worsham said, adding that trustees had been working to stabilize operations.

Supervisor Benji Morris and other supervisors described years of turnover. “In the last four years, we've gone through four directors and three interims,” Morris said, arguing the rate of change had hampered consistent service and required a sustained cleanup effort.

County attorney Jeff (last name on file) reminded the board of the limits of the county's formal authority and the appointment role the governing body holds. “Under state law, the governing body that established the public library is the entity that appoints the library board and provides funding; that is the extent of our official role,” he said.

Following discussion, the board voted to appoint Supervisor Morris as an at-large, voting member of the library board of trustees (the specific term/seat to be finalized administratively). The board also reappointed Gail Garity (district 1) and Tom Higgy (district 2) to trustee slots after nomination.

Board members disagreed on whether to retain incumbent trustees or recruit new volunteers. Some supervisors pressed for more time to vet nominees, interviews and a clearer nomination process; others said immediate action and continued trustee involvement were necessary to restore stable operations.

Next steps the board identified were to gather historical records and bylaws for review, clarify appointment procedures between the library and the board, and document outstanding personnel and operational issues so the board and legal staff can determine any further oversight actions. The board closed discussion and moved on to appointments and other agenda items.