COLUMBIA — The Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to delay issuing any statement regarding the recent resignation of the county’s librarian until after the local library advisory board meets later this month.
The decision came during the board’s regular meeting after several residents spoke during public comment asking commissioners to support former Tyrrell County librarian Lynda Mastronardo, whose recent departure from the library has sparked growing community concern.
More from the meeting, including the audit report, can be found in our story, available at https://albemarleobserver.news/2026/03/05/tyrrell-commissioners-receive-clean-audit-but-report-notes-financial-indicators-of-concern/
Following a closed session with County Attorney/Manager David Clegg, commissioners voted on the delay, noting that it’s essential that the board remain neutral so it can have a voice on the advisory board.
Residents ask for county support
During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents praised Mastronardo’s work and asked commissioners to publicly support her reinstatement.
At a recent Columbia Town Council meeting, residents also spoke during public comment urging town leaders to support Mastronardo.
A community petition circulating online has gathered signatures from residents asking the Pettigrew Regional Library system to reinstate her as librarian.
During the commissioners’ meeting, Bobbie McElifish of Columbia said she understood the county does not directly control hiring or firing decisions within the Pettigrew Regional Libraries system but hoped the board could still show support.
“I realize you do not do any hiring or firing,” McElifish said. “But I am asking you for support.”
McElifish said Mastronardo had been required to sign a nondisclosure agreement and therefore cannot discuss the circumstances of her departure.
Nancy Jean Lambert also spoke about several programs she said had benefited the community, including workshops held through Beaufort County Community College that helped residents start businesses and learn grant-writing skills.
She also highlighted a humanities book club program that brings together residents from different backgrounds for discussions.
“It just spreads out and improves the community,” Lambert said.
Wendy Stanton told commissioners the library had built partnerships with several organizations during Mastronardo’s tenure and had become a hub for community activity.
“This library is the best library I’ve ever been in,” Stanton said. “There is a warmth to it.”
Stanton said some programs had already begun pulling back following the librarian’s departure.
Later in the meeting, a representative of the Friends of the Library said the organization was already seeing disruptions.
Amy Lowdermilk-Odom, president of the group, said the Friends help fund library activities including the annual summer reading program.
“With losing Linda there … there’s been one Facebook post in three weeks,” Lowdermilk-Odom said, noting the library relies heavily on online promotion to advertise events.
Lowdermilk-Odom asked commissioners to issue a letter or resolution supporting Mastronardo and calling for answers from the regional library system.
County oversight limited
County leaders said their authority over the issue is limited.
The Tyrrell County Library operate as part of the Pettigrew Regional Library system, and library employees are not county employees. However, the county does appoint members to a local library advisory committee.
Board Chairman Jordan Davis said that an advisory board serves as the county’s primary oversight body for the local branch.
Commissioners gave out contact information for the regional library system: phone, 252-793-2875 or email headquarters@pettigrewlibraries.org.
Background
Mastronardo resigned Feb. 18 from her position as librarian of the Tyrrell County Library, according to Pettigrew Regional Library Director Nate King.
The library system has not publicly provided details about the circumstances surrounding the resignation.
Mastronardo moved to Columbia in 2019 and began working at the library in 2020. During her tenure, the library expanded programming for both children and adults, including early literacy initiatives, business workshops and community partnerships.
