Updates

UPDATE (original post below): The Jackson County Board of Commissioners recently voted to restrict the community rooms at both the Sylva and Cashiers libraries to library and government use only, ending all broader community access. This decision follows months of debate over whether these spaces should remain open to the public. We are deeply disappointed. During public comment, Sylva resident Chris Hamlet reminded commissioners that the rooms were originally promoted—and pa

Dear Friends: We have a short update regarding Fontana Regional Library's (FRL) proposed distribution of approximately $1.35 million in surplus funds. Public court records show Swain County has obtained a temporary restraining order against FRL (Case Number 26CV000161-860). The filing challenges the FRL Board’s May 12 decision to divide surplus funds among the three member counties ahead of Jackson’s withdrawal (effective July 1, 2026) and Macon’s (effective July 1, 2027). Th

For more photos from the event, please go here. Thank you to everyone who attended the Book Friends & Tea event on Sunday, June 7. It was a huge success with many people in attendance enjoying several delicious tea varieties, scones, and chocolate treats. A very special thank you goes to Snake Song for the delightful varieties of tea served in actual teapots, to Baxley Chocolates for the to-die-for chocolate confections, and to Eclectic Soul for the scrumptious scones and cer

This week, you may have seen a draft of the soon-to-be-voted-upon FRL Collection Development Policy. This draft raises serious First Amendment concerns because it allows books to be relocated based solely on a parent’s objection to their content. Many people have sent formal public records requests to obtain an official copy of the draft or the finalized version so that residents can study it before the vote. Bill McGaha, Interim Director of the FRL, has refused to release an

We are thrilled to report that Tracy Fitzmaurice, former Fontana Regional Library Director and Jackson County Public Library Director, has been chosen as one of ten recipients of the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award. Nominated by a large number of community members, she was selected from 1,300 nominees nationwide for her years of dedication, kindness, and inclusivity which have deeply impacted the community. Tracy will receive a $5,000 cash prize for her personal use and compli

We have some hopeful news for you. Last week, a small group of people interested in making the libraries the best they can be met to discuss the future. A member of the JCPL Allies and a member of the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library were invited to participate. They were joined by Jackson County Manager Kevin King and our new library director, Grace Powell. Here's what we were told: Cardinal (State Library of North Carolina consortium that shares an online catalo

At their Feb. 17th, the county commissioners announced that a library director for the Jackson County Public Libraries was hired. While she finishes up the year working as the Scotts Creek Elementary School librarian, Grace Powell will be working part time at the Jackson County Public Libraries. The JCPL Allies have reached out to ask her how we can best help with the transition to her new position. We hope to be true allies to her, and to help her be successful in this posit

Dear friends and supporters, Thank you for your ongoing commitment to strengthening public libraries in Jackson County. Libraries exist because of people like you who value access to information, community learning, and the role libraries play in civic life. Recent developments regarding the county’s decision to leave the Fontana Regional Library system have created difficult questions about how our nonprofit can best serve the community. After extensive discussion, our boa

Hello Library Supporters, Recent discussions and actions by both the Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees and the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, along with ongoing anonymous attacks on local media and library staff and supporters, have created an urgent need for legal guidance and potential legal action to safeguard the stability, independence, and future of our public libraries and the freedom to read. Quality legal counsel is essential and expensive. JCPL Alli

The Jackson County Commissioners are considering revising the lease agreement between the county and the library complex. From what we understand , the courthouse would have a separate lease with a group - not the library - managing its use. All funds were raised for the Jackson County Public Library Complex, not two unrelated entities. And, there is real concern that a group, other than the library, managing its use could make the facility less accessible to everyone in the

Dear Library Supporters, This week, in response to a records request for the library consultants’ final report, Jackson County Manager Kevin King stated: “There was not a final deliverable from the consultants. You already have the document entitled work plan; this is all that was created. If you have specific questions please let me know.” The “work plan” he refers to is a multi-page checklist (see below) outlining tasks to complete before June 30 to separate JCPL from Fonta

At the Dec. 16, 2025 meeting, the Jackson County Commissioners voted to approve the amendments to the Fontana Regional Library agreement that had been presented at an earlier meeting. Todd Bryson was absent from the meeting, but all of the other Commissioners voted yes. Swain County has also voted yes. Macon County and the FRL board must still vote. This vote does not mean that Jackson County will stay in the FRL, but staying may be more palatable to some with a new agreement

The JCPL Allies have received photographs of a flyer that is being circulated by opponents of the Fontana Regional Library (FRL). We have been told that it is being shared by a current commissioner, but so far, this is unsubstantiated. If any of you has a physical copy of the flyer, or know for certain who is responsible, will you please contact us? We would appreciate it. The JCPL Allies has issued the following statement to the press in response to the flyer. Please share:

WCU junior, Chloe Koz, with a book called "How To Save A Library" that she created for the Book Swap. Thanks to a hard-working Western Carolina University student and her desire to do something for her new community, the recent Book Swap held at the Jackson County Public Library Complex in Sylva was born. Chloe Koz, a junior from Charlotte majoring in International Studies and English, was looking for ways to make connections through volunteer opportunities when she heard abo

Dear JCPL Allies, This week’s Sylva Herald included a brief article that suggests a glimmer of hope for Jackson County Public Libraries' continued membership in the Fontana Regional Library. Three workable addenda have been proposed to strengthen Jackson County’s commitment to the FRL, and our commissioners will vote on them on Nov. 18. Macon and Swain counties will also be voting on the document within the same week. The proposed modifications appear at the end of this post

Did you know that you can make book requests at the library, and the Fontana Regional Library will do its best to add your requests to the collection? The library represents and supports ALL residents, not just a select few. If you feel a subject needs better coverage or you don’t see yourself represented in the collection, let them know. A Macon County resident recently mentioned the dearth of books about sexual abstinence in the Fontana Regional Library System. If this is a

Tracy Fitzmaurice, director of the Jackson County Public Libraries, has earned the North Carolina Library Association's Distinguished Library Service Award ! The award will be presented at the All-Conference Reception on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Forsyth County Central Library. Nominators cited numerous reasons why she is deserving of the award, including: "She has dedicated decades of her life to improving information access to the people of Western North Ca

Please help the JCPL Allies nominate the amazing Tracy Fitzmaurice, director of the Jackson County Public Libraries, for the I Love My Librarian Award! This national award, made possible by the American Library Association, recognizes the outstanding public service contributions of librarians working in public, school, college, community college or university libraries. As recommended by the awards committee, we are collecting all nominations now so that we can submit them in

This is an official announcement from Tracy Fitzmaurice, the director of the Jackson County Public Libraries, about a much-deserved recognition for our libraries. Congratulations to all! Hi Everyone, I am pleased to announce that our two Jackson County libraries have been selected for the 2025 Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Award. If you visit this link you will see the long list of past winners. Our Jackson County Public Libraries were selected in recognition