The Smithtown Special Library District’s 15 candidates for the board of trustees are likely enough to perplex some voters, especially when considering there are only three available seats and the similar backgrounds many of the candidates share.
The interest of the major political organizations in Smithtown, too, is also likely to raise the visibility of the nonpartisan race while raising questions for others.
Out of the slate of 15, which includes two incumbents, a “team” has formed between three candidates who have received the endorsement of the Smithtown GOP and Conservative Party on September 25.
“The concern that we had is that members of the present library board are allowing certain books to be taken out by youngsters,” said Bill Ellis, chairman of the Smithtown Republican Committee, when asked why the GOP decided to throw its support behind JoAnn Lynch, Charles Fisher, Michael Gannon.
He further expounded, “We’re not saying throw the books away under any circumstances, but the books should be taken out of the children’s section of the library.”
The Smithtown Democratic Party has also shown at least tacit interest in the race through their support of their Second Vice-Chair and attorney Howard Knispel by hosting Knispel in his capacity as a candidate at an August 31 meeting. Although, a member of the town’s local Democratic Party was not available to confirm whether this support amounted to a formal endorsement.
A member of the Knispel campaign was also unavailable for comment, making further support from the Democratic Committee merely speculative.
“It would be more for counterbalance when it is appropriate,” said Ellis when asked if this support would be a routine involvement in the library trustee election.
In terms of the programmatic elements of Lynch’s agenda, she expressed her support for continuing the good work the library does, with special emphasis on programs targeted at the youth and senior citizens.
While the sudden interest might be surprising for some, recent observers of the library will remember the controversy regarding the library’s decision to remove LGBT Pride displays from the children’s section of the library in June, earning quick condemnation from the New York State Library Association. At the same time, Governor Hochul made comments and referred the matter to the Division on Human Rights. The library issued a statement on September 28, stating they are complying with the Division and that there is no timeframe for the investigation’s conclusion.
Local LGBT activists also decried the decision, which was quickly reversed.
Lynch stated she supports the LBGT community and would be “representing the community as a whole” if elected.
Knispel’s agenda, as stated on the library website and on his Facebook page, places an emphasis on creating a welcoming place to marginalized communities, while noting “I oppose
censorship but material should be age appropriate.”
Other issues that candidates have brought up are keeping libraries relevant in the digital age, fostering an interest in reading, and fiscal prudence.
The 15 candidates represent a wide swath of Smithtown. Here are some fast figures on their public group affiliations and some relevant experience they have listed:
Member of Friends of the Smithtown Library: 2
Computer Science/Information Technologies Background: 2
Teacher: 3
School Administrator: 1
Home Owners Board/ Association Officer: 2
Attorney: 2
Local Political Organization Committee Member: 3
Former/Current Board of Trustee Member: 2
Librarian: 1
Some of these overlap, and there are many backgrounds and experiences not listed above, such as business owners and volunteers at other organizations. More information on the candidates can be found at: smithlib.org/libraryboard-candidates-2022
