You Don’t Put an Arsonist in Charge of the Fire Station
So why is Anthony Allen trying to chair our Library Board?
After a year of hiding under their rocks, the loudest voices against our public libraries are back. And this time, they’re not just trying to control which books are on the shelves - they’re trying to control the entire system.
At the most recent Anderson County Commission meeting, Commissioner Anthony Allen (the same man who has led every attack on our county libraries) put his name forward to become Chair of the Anderson County Library Board.
If selected, he wouldn’t just get a vote. He’d run the show:
He’d decide what goes on the agenda.
He’d lead the meetings.
He’d set the tone and direction of our public libraries for years to come.
It’s outrageous. And it’s not subtle.
This is the same playbook we’ve seen across Tennessee and across the country:
Discredit the public institutions that serve all of us, then try to take them over.
But we’ve been here before, and Anderson County didn’t back down.
We said then, and we’ll say again: our libraries are not battlegrounds for culture war politics. They’re spaces for learning, for exploration, and for freedom. They are not tools for censorship. They are not here to serve the narrow vision of a few angry politicians.
Anthony Allen made clear where he stands. Now he wants a promotion.
Let’s not pretend this is normal. You wouldn’t put an arsonist in charge of the fire station. And we shouldn't let Anthony Allen anywhere near the levers of library leadership.
What’s at Stake
Public libraries have long been a target in far-right attacks on inclusive public life. Tennessee has been front and center in these efforts — featured nationally in reports and exposés about book bans and politically motivated censorship. Kate Phang’s powerful new video calls it out plainly, and yes, Anderson County is part of the story.
When extremists can’t win by public support, they try to stack the deck.
Get their people in the room. Rewrite the rules. Undermine from within.
That’s what’s happening now.
How We Stop It
There are two moments coming up where this can be stopped, but only if we show up.
Step One: Nominating Committee
Thursday, July 10 at 5:00 PM
Room 312, Anderson County Courthouse
This committee decides who gets recommended to lead the Library Board. Here are the commissioners who serve on it:
Tyler Mayes (D-1)
Denise Palmer (D-2)
Joshua Anderson (D-3)
Tim Isbel (D-4)
Jerry White (D-5)
Anthony Allen (D-6)
Sabra Beauchamp (D-7)
Bob Smallridge (D-8)
Each represents their district, but they’re voting for the entire county.
It’s worth asking each of them directly: Are you going to put someone who tried to tear down our libraries in charge of running them?
Find their contact info: https://andersoncountytn.gov/county-commission
Step Two: Full Commission Meeting
Monday, July 21 at 6:30 PM
Room 312, Anderson County Courthouse
If Allen gets through the nominating committee, this is the final vote.
We need to be in that room. And we need to make it clear that Anderson County supports libraries that serve all people - not just a loud minority.
One More Thing
The members of the Library Board should believe in the public good. They should respect the role of libraries in a democratic society. They should trust parents, trust educators, and trust readers.
Anthony Allen has proven repeatedly that he doesn’t.
So no, we’re not going to be quiet. And we’re not going to pretend this is just business as usual.
We’re going to show up.
We’re going to speak up.
And we’re going to stop this.
