Micah Beckwith, pastor who led book removal policy in HamCo, resigns from library board

An ultra-conservative pastor instrumental in passing a controversial book relocation policy at the Hamilton East Public Library has resigned from its board of directors.

Micah Beckwith submitted his letter of resignation to the Hamilton County Council on Wednesday, Council President Amy Massillamany said. The council appointed Beckwith to the library board in September 2022 and will replace him.

Beckwith, a pastor at Noblesville Campus of Life Church and self-described Christian Nationalist, led the charge for a since-rescinded policy that moved books from the teen to the adult section.

He is the last to leave the board of the four conservative members who voted for the policy in December 2022.

PreviouslyPastor brings conservative views to Hamilton East library board. Some are worried.

Beckwith could not be reached immediately for comment. He is running as a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor and previously was a candidate for congress in the 5th district.

In his letter, Beckwith said he was resigning to concentrate on his campaign.

“I do not want to shortchange the board,” he wrote.

“Together we have made a real difference for our community with supplying the knowledge of books and knowing that children are able to access age-appropriate reading materials,” Beckwith wrote. “Our community is a better place with the work for what we have done for our thriving library.”

The council will take applications to fill his seat until Jan. 25 and choose the candidate to fill his seat at its Feb. 7 meeting.

The book policy ignited months of debate, culminating in Indiana author John Green’s intense social media criticism when his teen novel, “A Fault in Our Stars” was moved.

A new moderate HEPL board majority repealed the book policy last fall following the replacements of two members of the conservative majority, Laura Alerding and Ray Maddalone.

The third member of the old majority, Tiffanie Ditlevson, resigned in December after being elected to the Fishers city council.

The library is still seeking a director to replace Edra Waterman, who resigned last December.

Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418 or email him at john.tuohy@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook and X/Twitter.