In Tumultuous Meeting, Gwinnett’s Pinder Fired

-- Library Journal, 06/13/2006

Jo Ann Pinder, for 15 years director of the Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA, was dismissed at a contentious board meeting last night in which her supporters turned out in force, wearing red, but were unable to get the board to issue an explanation of their decision. "We had already made our decision. There are factors that haven't been published," said board vice chairwoman Phyllis Oxendine, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post. "It's unethical to discuss personnel matters." Conservative critics have blasted the library for emphasizing popular materials, for having a high weed rate, and for having too many managers. Pinder, who will get one year’s pay ($127,000) because the firing was not for cause, told the newspaper she hadn’t decided whether to pursue legal action. "I'm just appreciative of all the support of the staff and the community," she said. While critics said Pinder was “not listening to the community,” supporters called it “a total railroad.” Board member Brett Taylor, a Pinder supporter, wanted to speak before the vote was taken, but his fellow board members voted to not allow discussion. “I guess people can talk to their commissioners and have me taken off the board," said board member Dale Todd, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The library won the Gale/LJ Library of the Year award in 2000, and Pinder was the 2002–03 president of the Public Library Association.