HEPL Board, hired attorneys part ways amid controversies

Amid controversies catapulting a Hamilton County library system into a national discussion about book access for youth, the library's board and their hired attorneys have parted ways.

Barnes & Thornburg and their clients, the Hamilton East Public Library board, have cut ties, only six months after the law firm was brought on to oversee the library's legal needs, including the board's collection development policy that moved books deemed inappropriate for children and teens to the general adult section.

Newly appointed Board President Tiffanie Ditlevson declined to comment about the attorneys after the board’s meeting Thursday.

The board’s Aug. 24 meeting was Barnes and Thornburg's last, attorney Mark Crandley confirmed to IndyStar, although the law firm will still provide legal guidance over Open Door complaints filed against the board this week.

Crandley said he can't detail who dropped whom because of attorney-client privilege. But IndyStar confirmed that Barnes and Thornburg sent the board a letter Aug. 23. The Star has requested a copy of this letter from library staff.

Public Access Counselor Luke Britt said that five complaints have been filed against the HEPL Board, many of which were tied to a meeting between former Board President Laura Alerding and board member Ray Maddalone and Barnes and Thornburg attorneys Crandley and Chris Greisl at a coffee shop in Fishers.

The photo of the conversation caused an uproar on social media with many members of public weighing in on its legality.

Britt reserved his judgment on the meeting in case Open Door complaints were filed although he initially shared that it appeared legal.

Board member Michelle Payne brought up the board's jump in legal fees this summer at Thursday's meeting and asked for a future discussion about how much the board has been spending on legal advice.

Thursday night board members voted to pause the collection development policy passed last December that led to many young adult books being moved out of the teen section.

More on this pause: Library staff have been reviewing and reshelving books for months. Now the policy is suspended.

Rachel Fradette is a suburban education reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at rfradette@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter at @Rachel_Fradette.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: HEPL Board, Barnes and Thornburg part ways amid controversies