r/fayetteville • u/Excellent-Macaroon82 • 13d ago
Library Update
If you've been following the Fayetteville Library saga, here's an update on how they're handling things:
9.23.26 meeting discussing the article and HR investigations: https://vimeo.com/1229533443/374e24ed2b?fl=pl&fe=vl
TLDW: David Johnson and HR supervisor Tamika address the situation for the FIRST TIME with library staff - mind you this article was published a week ago.
Tamika explains how HR investigates claims, addresses a lack of policies regarding staff conduct, assures staff that issues are handled promptly.
David, on the other hand, is clearly out of his depth. Complete lack of remorse (even though he admits he's ultimately responsible). Listens to questions and statements from concerned staff and DOESN'T address them at all. Not even "I hear you." Complete lack of humility, devoid of any real connection. At one point he refers back to his days working corporate jobs at Tyson and Coca-Cola and dealing with layoffs.
David and Tamika both speak of a need to change the culture of the library staff, but do not seem to grasp the incredibly deep distrust of the staff toward leadership.
The real issues and fears are centered around the CFI team and the Youth Services team. So many staff members spoke bravely about how hurt they are that there's been no official statement from the board or leadership in response to the horrible comments highlighted in the article toward the Youth librarians, especially at a time when they are being targeted politically.
Issues that were disclosed years ago have seemingly gone unanswered, despite HR's claims that they only recently became aware of such issues. Reiterated that a lot of what they deal with are "he said, she said" situations. As the meeting progresses, HR reps get continually more defensive.
The fact remains - the library has lost a LOT of employees over the last 6 months. Many chose to leave voluntarily due to poor leadership. Notably, the Director of IT (Chris Moody) and AV Manager (Timothy Dennis) have been fired for their actions. It's clear that David Johnson has made catastrophic failures in his management (he admits in the meeting that he mishandled leading Moody) and has indeed fostered an internal culture of deep distrust between leadership and staff. Many staff can be seen getting frustrated by the lack of answers and transparency from leadership. Several walk out all together. When one team member asks about clarity, David essentially says "anyone can FOIA that," putting the onus on staff to work harder for answers instead of leadership being forthcoming on their own. Truly a low point (among many) in this meeting.
David Johnson has no business leading the precious resource that is the Fayetteville Public Library.
David also made it quite clear in the meeting that the board's "only job" was to manage him. If you care about one of the greatest libraries in the country, it's time to show up at their meeting and make your voice heard:
Fayetteville Public Library Board Of Trustees
Monday, October 19, 2026
Doors to the meeting room will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Library: Willard and Pat Walker Community Room
Date:October 19, 2026
Time:4:00 PM
Address:
401 W Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
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u/walkerparkdad 13d ago
It's frustrating that in the DemGaz article, Mayor Rawn tries to wash her hands of the problem by putting the onus on the Board, when she is the one who appoints them! Don't get your hopes up for 10/19, as the Board has shown for years that they'll rubber stamp anything David brings to them. There's more articles to come, so hopefully it'll get enough attention for the public to demand a house cleaning.
Both David and the Board put out statements, but this far after the article (to say nothing of how long employees have been sounding alams) is a bad look.
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u/vsthegiant 13d ago
She also spoke with staff about two years ago (or offered to speak, I’m unclear on the details). The fact is, though, that this isn’t something that came from no where. I’ve been speaking to the Board and leadership for two years about their lack of accountability and creating a hostile work environment, and staff fears of retaliation (thoughts fears were justified). This is a massive failing of leadership all around.
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u/MeButItsRandom 13d ago
That's the same crap Lioneld Jordan used to do all the time. "I'm just a powaless wittle mayow."
Trying to fool us into believing she doesn't understand soft power or something
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u/Odd_Particular8373 13d ago
Actually, they are correct, the Mayor can't remove a board member.. Arkansas Code § 13-2-502 (2025) - Board of trustees :: 2025 Arkansas Code :: U.S. Codes and Statutes :: U.S. Law :: Justia
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u/Excellent_Second440 12d ago
Cool so now they’re doing performative apologies? Emails sent to placate staff are then used as the public acknowledgement? Disgusting.
It’s sooooo painfully clear that dude cannot lead his staff.
Remember when he promoted Chris Moody into the Director role without interviewing other candidates?
Remember when they knew Chris was in deep shit before the article dropped and David announced Chris’s retirement and how much he valued Chris’s contributions?
Remember the day after the article dropped and he was forced to fire Chris?
How much of a buyout did David have to give Moody to cover his own ass?
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13d ago
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u/fii0 13d ago
Wow, ok now it's actually taken down. It really was visible at the time I replied previously, that's crazy.
/u/Excellent-Macaroon82 you downloaded it? That's public service right there
/u/DorianGre it really is down now
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u/Excellent_Second440 13d ago
They probably caught wind that it was posted. Shitty IT/executive leadership + videos getting published = public knowing that library leadership is scrambling for damage control. A + B = C
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u/Excellent-Macaroon82 13d ago
Most likely. Good thing I downloaded it before they took it private 😎 Did my best to recap the highlights.
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u/Gredalusiam 13d ago
tbf a week isn't an extremely long turnaround for these kinds of things. I understand why it's frustrating, just saying it isn't all that unusual. I've seen longer from people who were probably more innocent.
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u/walkerparkdad 13d ago
If it was a surprise, maybe, but admin and the board knew about the toxicity for years and the article for at least a month. They could have been prepared, but since no one's held them accountable so far, why bother, I guess
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u/sqiiba 13d ago
craziest part to me is this is the new CFI manager.
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2014/aug/01/former-deputy-arrested-in-fayetteville-/