Virginia McClure to Step Down as Library Director

In a letter published today to the Anchorage Public Library website, Virginia McClure announced that she is stepping down as the library's director, citing her need to leave Alaska so that she can care for her mother, who has been suffering from moderate to severe dementia.

McClure's last day with the library will be July 8th. According to her letter, she is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will work with the incoming administration to facilitate the interim department leadership.

During her tenure, McClure proved herself a steadfast defender of intellectual freedom and community values. When Mayor Dave Bronson's handpicked, right-wing Library Advisory Board (LAB) members went rogue, attempting to censor and ban the book "Let's Talk About It," McClure stood in the breach, advocating for the principles of open access and unbiased information that libraries are meant to uphold. At the same time, McClure emphasized the importance of following proper procedures for book reconsideration rather than yielding to politically motivated censorship and divisive culture wars.

McClure's leadership and dedication to upholding the Library Bill of Rights, which champions every individual's freedom to read and access information, were instrumental in preserving the library's integrity in the wake of a years-long culture war aimed at dismantling the library's diverse collection of materials. Since day one of stepping up to lead, McClure's actions have safeguarded the library as a place where all patrons, regardless of background or belief, can find resources that inform, educate, and inspire.

Ms. McClure is a rockstar, and we are lesser without her.