Former Upstate library director sues board of trustees; 7NEWS WSPA, November 11, 2026

 Dustin George , 7NEWS WSPA; Former Upstate library director sues board of trustees

"The former director of the Pickens County Library System is suing her former employer, its board of trustees and a private citizen over what she described as a years-long campaign of defamation, harassment and violations of public meeting laws in an attempt to get her fired. 

Stephanie Howard, the former director of the Pickens County Library System, is suing Pickens County government, the library system board of trustees and five of its members, as well as a private citizen and a community group over allegations of violations of public records laws, interfering with contractual matters, conspiracy and defamation.

Howard was hired to lead PCLS in 2019. During her time as director Howard was recognized by the state’s library association, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Way and chamber of commerce for her work in the library and community. 

She was fired in February by the library board of trustees after she announced the library system would have to pause youth programs to give staff time to review more than 86,000 books on library shelves in order to comply with a new content policy set by the board."