Library director terminated for ‘unkind pushback’ during Kirk Cameron’s Christian book event

A library director in Tennessee has been fired by The Sumner County Library Board after actor, writer, and vocal Christian, Kirk Cameron, accused him of “unkind pushback” during an event last month.

That public library event included Cameron, Missy Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame, and acclaimed competitive swimmer Riley Gaines, now an advocate for the rights of women athletes who have been forced to share locker space and compete against biological males, such as swimmer Lia Thomas.

Hendersonville library director Allan Morales was ousted by the board in a 4-3 vote on Wednesday after organizers of the event, held in conjunction with Brave Books, a conservative publishing group that published Cameron’s book for children, “As You Grow,” and Robertson’s “Because You’re My Family,” accused the director and his staff of treating “us terribly, unfortunately.”

“A head official at the library threatened to cancel the event… The official at the library tried to say that too many people would be coming, and the library couldn’t handle it,” a spokesperson for Brave Books told Fox News Digital (FND) last week. “As soon as the library’s board of directors and the community heard this, they were against this decision and the library staff backed down.”

“We were not sure what to expect when we arrived,” the spokesperson continued, “but all we knew was that we were coming to the Hendersonville Public Library for this reading.”

The event was scheduled at the library on Feb. 25, and, according to emails obtained by The Tennessean, Morales was concerned about the large, potentially political crowd the event was drawing.

“Our invitation was sincere to read a book during our story time,” Morales wrote to a Brave Books representative in an email dated Feb. 22. “We guard that time because it is for small children and not adults. We work hard at not promoting any agendas left or right.”

According to the paper, “The emails also indicate discussion about moving the event to a church in Hendersonville.”

Following the event, Cameron posted on his Facebook page, “Despite the rain and the unkind pushback (from one disgruntled librarian), an OVERFLOW crowd of families, mayors, county commissioners, and celebs welcomed and joined us at the library in Hendersonville, TN. for singing the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, praying and teaching faith in God and moral values to our kids.”

Recalling the event, part of the “Freedom Island Book Tour,” a wholesome alternative to Drag Queen Story Hours, Gaines said tempers began to flare when Cameron noted that Morales was speaking too loud as the guests were filming a promotional video inside the library prior to the doors opening for the public. The swimmer said she wasn’t sure whether Morales was intentionally talking too loudly, but did say that some of the library staff were intentionally making excessive noise.

As she was filming her segment, Gaines can be seen telling loud staff members their behavior was “immature” and “disrespectful.”


(Video: The Tennessean)

But the event wasn’t just hampered by juvenile librarians.

Bomb threats were called in.

“It’s not an accurate representation of Hendersonville, Gallatin or Sumner County,” said Gaines, who is a resident of Sumner County.

“I hate that it resulted in termination,” she told The Tennessean of Morales’ dismissal. “I don’t know if it was politically driven. There were bomb threats (reported), a lot of things going on (leading up to the event). I don’t know if it is an accurate representation of him.”

Police reported that, in a short period of time, 14 emails — all from the same account — were sent to the Hendersonville Public Library containing references to death and blowing up the building.

Mark Frakl, 49, of Connecticut, was arrested by Hendersonville police on Thursday and charged with harassment and making a false bomb threat, according to The Tennessean.

As for Morales, he just wants to see his community move on from the event.

“I just have chosen not to say anything,” he said. “I don’t want to add to all this. I’m hoping now that they have fired me that the community can move on. There’s not much of a point to giving my side. At end of the day I don’t hate anybody.”

Melissa Fine

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles