R. C. Irwin Library

At the 15 Sep 2010 Tunica County Board of Supervisors' Meeting, Mrs. Sowers and I asked several Supervisors who appointed the local library Board of Directors. The purpose of our inquiry was to find out why there was not an African American on this Board. (Tunica County, MS is 73% African American.)

What we found was that the R. C. Irwin Library Board of Directors was not on the list of board appointments made by the Tunica County Board of Supervisors.

The Transparency Committee has been busy researching this situation. What we've learned since 15 Sep 2010 is the following:

1. Once a local library joins the Regional Library System, we no longer have a local Board of Directors.

2. When the R. C. Irwin Library became a part of the First Regional Library system, the Tunica County Board of Supervisors were to appoint one person to the First Regional Library Board of Trustees. At present, Tunica County's Board of Supervisors has appointed Laura Ann Ryals Evans as our representative.

3. The Board of Supervisors also has the option of appointing an Advisory Board of Trustees to serve on the local level. As of 28 Feb 2011, the Tunica County Board of Supervisors has chosen not to appoint an Advisory Board of Trustees to serve at the local level.

So, what's this all about? Well, it's about this. Remember when we talked about the local library's Board of Directors before we became a part of the Regional System? They think they are still incharge of our library. Not only that, they have been appointing their friends and relatives to replace them when they either passed on or were tired of serving.

Just recently, I received an email from the President of the Friends of the R. C. Irwin Library. Within this email was a notice that she had authorized the purchase of a funeral arrangement for a member of the Board of Directors whose husband had passed away. I don't object to spending money from any organization to help another person for whatever reason. It's just that the R. C. Irwin Library does not have a local Board of Directors.

This is all so rinky dink.