Metropolis Library Director Terminated by Library Board of Trustees following 5-3 Vote at February 28th Special Meeting

(WMOK) Metropolis, IL – The Metropolis Public Library Board of Trustees held a special meeting yesterday – Wednesday the 28th at 5:30 pm – The board called the meeting to address issues that have recently made themselves present in the library surrounding censorship and the Library Bill of Rights.

Following public comment and a lengthy closed session the Board of Trustees voted 5-3 in favor of the termination of Metropolis Public Library Director Rosemary Baxter.

Voting in favor : Paula Shelton, Kelley Sullivan, Ford Loverin, Stephanie Johnson, and Rhonda James.

Voting against : Carl Johnson, Cheriah Herring, and David Daugherty.

Board member LaDawn Bradley was absent from the meeting.

The meeting can be viewed and heard in its entirety in the two videos below:

Metropolis Public Library Board of Trustees – special meeting – Part 1

Metropolis Public Library Board of Trustees – special meeting – Part 2

During WMOK’s coverage of the meeting on Wednesday we received many questions and requests for clarification regarding this situation that has unfolded quickly in the community.

We will continue to address questions from the community in the comments sections for the two live posts on Wednesday and will address those going forward.

The Metropolis Public Library announced via social media this morning that the Kidz Club has been canceled for today – Thursday, February 29.