Jackson County Public Library Board

The Jackson County Public Library Board currently serves as an advisory board to the Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees and does not set policy or establish operating procedures for the libraries in Jackson County. Board members are appointed by the Jackson County Commissioners for three-year terms. There are questions about how this board will operate, or even if it will continue in any form, as a result of the commissioners' decision to separate the Jackson County Public Libraries from the FRL.

Currently, JCPL board members and their term expirations are:

• Frederick Buskey, Chairperson; term expires February 2026

• Lauren Baxley; term expires February 2026

• Kitty Chisholm; term expires December 2027

• Beth James; term expires Februrary 2026

• Marva Jennings; term expires December 2027

• Geraldine Martinez; term expires September 2026

• Lori Richards; term expires December 2026

• Deborah Smith, FRL board member serving ex-officio on the JCPL board; term expiration tied to term on the FRL board

• John Smith, Jackson County Board of Commissioners representative; term expiration tied to term in office

• Brad Waldrop, Town of Sylva representative; term expiration tied to term in office

Please consider attending an important meeting with the JCPL board and Jackson County manager, Kevin King, to discuss how this board will operate as a result of the commissioners' decision to leave the FRL. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at noon, in the Community Room at the Jackson County Public Library Complex-Sylva. Please wear yellow to demonstrate your support for our public libraries. Additional information can be found here.