Flathead County accepting applications for ImagineIF board vacancy

Flathead County Commissioners are taking applications for the newly vacant position on the ImagineIF Library Board of Trustees until Aug. 1.

The seat opened up following the commissioners’ last appointment to the board. The decision to fill it with book challenger Carmen Cuthbertson prompted another board member, Marsha Sultz, to resign. Sultz, who announced her resignation the same day as Cuthbertson’s elevation, said she was disappointed in the appointment.

Sultz also said she believes the board “isn’t heading in the right direction.” The board is scheduled to accept her resignation at its July 21 meeting.

Cuthbertson was the first to challenge the book, “Gender Queer,” a memoir by Maia Kobabe that discusses gender expression and identity. The book has recently become one of the most banned books in the country due to its LGBTQ subject matter. Cuthbertson said she considers the book pornographic, but as a board member does not plan to challenge the book herself, saying it is up to patrons to flag books.

ImagineIF Marketing and Communications Coordinator Lune Axelsen said prior applicants from the last board vacancy have been contacted to see if they are interested.

An application packet is required for anyone interested and can be obtained by calling Teri Dugan at 406-758-5821. A letter of interest and the application packet should be submitted to the Flathead County Commissioners’ Office or emailed to dmagar@flathead.mt.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1.

The ImagineIF Board of Trustees will hold their July meeting on Thursday at 9 a.m. Other agenda items include discussion of security upgrades for bathrooms, goals for Library Director Ashley Cummins and the election of library board officers for the 2023 fiscal year.