IRON MOUNTAIN — A national political stir involving the American Library Association will largely escape Dickinson County because the library here is not a member of the group.

Commissioner Ann Martin made the clarification at a county board meeting Monday after raising concerns last month about the leadership of ALA. The controversy mainly stems from a since-deleted tweet Emily Drabinski sent after her election as ALA president in 2022 in which she described herself as “a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world.”

Drabinski, in a recent interview with NBC, said she was excited at the time to “highlight and celebrate” her identity.

Montana cut ties with ALA last month while conservative lawmakers in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Wyoming have also pushed their states’ libraries to withdraw, according to nbcnews.com.

After the Montana State Library Commission’s decision, ALA issued a statement noting its mission is to improve library and information services to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

“ALA presidents are elected by its membership to serve a term of one year and make decisions facing the membership in concert with a 15-member elected executive board and a 131-member elected council,” the release said.

Martin, who brought up Drabinski on July 24 in response to an email she received from a constituent, added that Dickinson County Library receives significant benefits through its membership in the Michigan Library Association.

She acknowledged being critical of some library materials but said she appreciates the facility’s “wonderful atmosphere” and complimented staff as “very helpful.”

During citizens’ time, William Cummings, library board chair, said the library has always been transparent about its operations. He encouraged Martin, who serves as a liaison, to bring concerns directly to the library as opposed to first voicing them at the county level.

Megan Buck, library director, said the institution isn’t meant to serve the wishes of a majority only. “It’s not the library for some, it’s the library for all,” she said.

Those in minority also pay taxes in support of the facility, Buck noted.

Martin, meanwhile, reported two new book challenges that will come under review by committee and possibly the library board if there is an appeal. The titles are children’s picture books “The Best Bed for Me” and “Pink, Blue and You!”

In other action, the county board:

— Learned from Commissioner Joe Stevens that about 700 people attended the Dickinson County Veterans Appreciation Picnic on July 29 at Lake Antoine Park, with about 1,200 on hand for the evening’s music. The event, organized through the county’s Office of Veterans Services, drew “a lot of families,” he said.

— Reappointed Lois Ellis to a three-year term on the Dickinson County Brownfield Development Authority, joining Jordan Stanchina, who was reappointed at a special meeting July 31. Vacancies remain.

— Approved the use of Lake Antoine Park for the YMCA Triathlon on Sept. 3.

— Heard citizen Pam Trask make a presentation on the doctrine of the lesser magistrate.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.