The Autauga-Prattville Public Library Board of Trustees last week approved a resolution giving themselves the power to remove any materials they believe inappropriate, whatever a library director may decide.
The move is the latest in an ongoing controversy over access to books at the library, one that has led in the last year to the appointment of a new board; the firing of a former library director and a federal lawsuit over selection criteria approved by the board in February that plaintiffs say violate patrons rights.
“We have a current lawsuit open, and I expect the plaintiffs will also allege there are problems with the resolution,” said Bryan Taylor, a former candidate for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court who is representing the library in the suit.
Messages seeking comment were left with Ray Boles, chair of the library board, and Hannah Rees of Clean Up Alabama, which has pushed for the changes.
Board members passed the resolution several weeks after the Alabama Public Library Service Board ratified changes to its administrative code. The new changes require local libraries to adopt policies aimed at restricting minors from having access to materials with themes related to sex and gender identity.