Report: “President of South Carolina’s Association of School Librarians Resigns After the State Department of Education Cut Ties With the Group”

From The State:

The president of South Carolina’s Association of School Librarians has resigned after the state Department of Education cut ties with the group. Michelle Spires resigned Thursday after state education superintendent Ellen Weaver ended the 50-year partnership with the group in a letter, accusing it of creating a “hostile environment” and taking a political stance by opposing efforts to remove books from schools.

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Diane Ervin, the executive secretary of the librarian association and a past president, confirmed that Spires’ resignation was directly linked to Weaver’s decision to end the partnership between the two organizations. But in her resignation, Spires made no reference to the split, expressing gratitude for the opportunities she had gained through the librarian’s association and urging librarians across the state to continue their support for the organization.

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Weaver sent a letter Aug. 25 to the librarian group ending the Department of Education’s partnership with it.

Tamara Cox, a former president of the library group, is now acting president through the school year’s end.

Weaver’s rebuff was completely unexpected, Cox said.

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The SCASL Board sent a letter in response to Weaver’s action on Aug. 31, asking for a meeting to discuss concerns and to offer solutions.

Cox said no one responded. 

“Our executive secretary made multiple calls to the office, and we have not received a return phone call,” Cox said.

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Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Libraries, News