Montgomery County terminates library director Rhea Young

Montgomery County officially terminated Rhea Young, who served as executive director over the Montgomery County Memorial Library System, following concerns from the public voiced at Commissioners Court meetings regarding the availability of "conservative literature."

What you need to know

Following a lengthy executive session Jan. 28, commissioners voted to have County Judge Mark Keough oversee the county library operations without formally terminating Young. However, in a news release to Community Impact, Keough's office confirmed Young was officially terminated from her position Jan. 29.

"Yesterday, the Commissioners Court appointed me to oversee the Memorial Library system," Keough said Jan. 29. "I met with the library director and made the decision to end her employment with Montgomery County. The future of the library system is vital to me and I will immediately begin a nationwide search for a new library director that shares the values of the community and respects the direction of Commissioners Court, who represents the people of this county."

Young was made the director of MCMLS in 2022 following the retirement of Jerrilyn Williams from the position.

How we got here

In October, the county revisited its policy for reviewing library books for content inappropriate for children due to concerns the existing policy was not structured properly and allowing nonresidents to report books to the review committee. According to previous Community Impact reporting, the committee is comprised of five citizens appointed by the county judge and commissioners for four-year terms. Books within the county library system will be able to be submitted for review before the committee by library users. Under the new policy, any cardholder of the Montgomery County Memorial Library System will be able to submit a book for review.

In their words

• "I urge you to not pursue genderifying the children's section, it doesn't work in public libraries and will only delay change further," resident Michelle Knuckles said at the Jan. 28 meeting, regarding books that deal with topics such as gender fluidity. "Additionally, none of the lost or damaged grade [conservative viewpoint] books have been replaced despite fees collected for this purpose and their popularity."
• "I'm on the library reconsideration committee. I believe that Ms. Young is doing a great job," resident Suzanne Soto said during the Jan. 28 meeting. "I would like to let you know that I truly appreciate it, and I do appreciate Ms. Young's work there and keeping it engaging and interesting for all citizens."