Louisiana Voice

Of all the banalities and absurdities ever uttered, the comment that “a degree is a degree” by Livingston Parish Library Board President Jonathan Davis has to rank up there with “alternate facts” and similar asinine remarks.

That was the excuse Davis made Friday in opening the door to any applicant with a degree to apply for the recently vacated position of parish library director.

Well, Mr. Davis, I have a degree. It’s in journalism but I would never dare to venture into the area of teaching quantum physics or nuclear medicine any more than I would employ my B.A. in journalism in the practice of heart, brain or cancer research and/or surgery. Nor would I consider myself qualified to head up a complete parish library system (though I know someone who might be interested).

Of all the ridiculous things to say, Davis’s thoughtless remark sounds very much like something an idiot like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. or Donald Trump might say.

Friday’s meeting was called after Parish President Randy Delatte, perhaps one of the least qualified persons to speak to a librarian’s qualifications, had recommended at last Tuesday’s meeting that Library Director Michelle Parrish’s contract not be renewed. All in all, it seems rather strange that the person elected to his position would crater to the wishes of someone who doesn’t even reside in the parish.

That someone would be Michael Lunsford, head of Citizens for a New Louisiana. He is a resident of St. Martin Parish and has, without a former invitation, interjected himself into the Livingston Parish Library’s operations.

Reminded of this on Friday, Davis curiously said that Lunsford has as much right to speak to local issues as those residing in Livingston Parish. Yet, those Livingston Parish residents were denied their opportunity to voice their concerns Friday.

That’s because Davis unceremoniously tabled agenda item number one, the decision to alter the qualifications for the director’s position to encompass just about anyone with a degree of any color because, in Davis’s words, he didn’t want “to punish those people, especially former principals that (sic) have managed schools and know exactly how to do a job very, very similar to this. I don’t want to punish them for getting a degree 20, 30 or 40 years ago,” he sniffed.

So, maybe I will apply for the position just for the fun of it. After all, a journalism degree implies an ability to read, does it not? And isn’t that all a librarian does (that is, if you ask Davis)? For that matter, I’d love to poll the five remaining library board members – four others resigned in protest earlier in the week when former library director Michell Parrish was abruptly fired – and Randy Delatte to learn the title of the last book each of them has read, and when that was. Maybe they should be required to give book reports.

Five remaining Livingston Parish Library Board members attended Friday’s abbreviated meeting that ended abruptly when board member Dewanna Christian (far right) suddenly claimed illness and departed the meeting, leaving it one member short of a quorum, forcing adjournment. Four other members (not pictured) resigned in protest last Tuesday when the board voted to fire the Parish library Director Michelle Parrish.

At one point, board member Trey Cowell, whose term actually expired last month, made a motion to adjourn in order to cut off public comments on board actions and when that failed, fellow board member DeWanna Christian, gathered her paperwork and stalked out of the meeting. Reached in the parking lot as she pulled away, she claimed to be physically ill and was “about to throw up.” Perhaps those with no stomach to defend their actions should resign as well.

Without her in attendance, there was an absence of a quorum and the meeting simply adjourned with several in attendance still awaiting a chance to say their piece. So, they hung around and had plenty to say to individual board members, especially to Davis, following the meeting.

Vicki Turner said a Library Science degree is a specialized area of study that requires a course in library law.

Another in attendance, Lolita Chatelain, does have a Master of Library Science and she said the library director’s job is one in which a degree indeed matters because the role is specialized and requires an understanding of several areas of knowledge. “I think it’s ridiculous that we would have someone [who is] not qualified to run our library system,” she said.

But then, why would we want to set a new precedent by insisting on qualifications – even for library board members?

Davis declined to comment on the cause for Parrish’s removal, but he did read a prepared statement – renemiscent of a third grader, his fingers mechanically tracing the words across the typewritten page as he read:

“At the most recent library board meeting, the board voted to make a leadership change and remove the director of the Livingston Parish Library System. This decision came after thoughtful discussion and careful consideration by the Board. It was not made in haste, but with a sincere desire to move the system forward and ensure long-term strength and unity within the library.

“Since being elected President, my focus has been on helping the library turn the page and begin a new chapter rooted in collaboration, transparency, and public service. Our libraries should always reflect the values, trust, and needs of the communities they serve.”

That statement stretched credulity in that observers who have been paying attention in Livingston Parish know full well that it has been Lunsford calling the shots for Davis and Delatte all along. To further promote the charade, the remaining board members sat prim and mute, like so many obedient children.

When Davis, et al, were labeled as puppets, the library system’s public information officer interrupted to suggest that decorum be practiced in the ongoing dialogue though most attending the abbreviated meeting felt that frank and open discussion was the more appropriate approach, that perhaps the time for decorum had passed.

“To help guide this next chapter,” Davis said, continuing to recite from the paper on the table in front of him, “I have appointed a review committee to assist with evaluating new director candidates and supporting strong, future-focused leadership. I have also worked with the two acting directors to ensure that daily library services continue without interruption” (though many came away feeling as if the new director might already have been chosen in some backroom deal).

Wow, just wow.