A collection of groups and individuals have filed a lawsuit against the Prattville-Autauga Library Board over its policies for regulating potentially obscene or sexually explicit children's books.
The Prattville library is ground zero for the statewide debate over sexually explicit children's books in the library. Since the beginning of 2023, residents have expressed concern over the library's collection of books containing sexually explicit material.
The entire library board has been replaced since the drama began, and the groups in favor of keeping the books have accused the new board of being more sympathetic to those wishing to remove or relocate the sexually explicit material.
In February, the board voted to approve a series of policy changes related to the procurement and display of books that contain "obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance." It also changed the requirements for library cards for those under 18.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the library shall not purchase or otherwise acquire any material advertised for consumers ages 17 and under which contain content including, but not limited to, obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance," the rules state. "Age-appropriate materials concerning biology, human anatomy, or religion are exempt from this rule."
The rules add, "Library staff shall affix a red warning label prominently on the binding of any book or other material in the library's collection containing content including, but not limited to, obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance and advertised for consumers 18 and older. Materials concerning biology, human anatomy, or religion are exempt from this rule."
In response, the library board was sued in federal court, claiming that the policies were allegedly unconstitutional and overly broad.
The Alabama Library Association (ALLA), the state chapter of the American Library Association; Read Freely Alabama, a group started in response to the movement in Prattville, and several residents on behalf of their minor children are all named as plaintiffs in the suit.
"The Selection Criteria Policy and Library Cards for Minors Policy each violate the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. They are overbroad. They discriminate on the basis of content. And they are vague," the lawsuit reads. "Plaintiffs, who include library card holders injured by the policies, a local grassroots organization of library supporters and patrons, and a statewide organization of librarians and library supporters, therefore ask this Court to invalidate these violations of the First Amendment, to declare the policies unconstitutional and void, and to enjoin the Board from implementing or enforcing these policies."
"Specifically, each policy unconstitutionally interferes with minors' right to check out and read books and other material protected by the First Amendment, including material that is not obscene as to minors. The policies also interfere with older, more mature minors' right to read and check out material that is not obscene or harmful as to them, but that might be inappropriate for younger minors," it continues.
The suit asks for injunctions against the library board, preventing them from carrying out the selection and minor library card policies. Plaintiffs are also asking for "reasonable attorney fees."
Laura Clark, the attorney for the library board, released the following statement when asked by 1819 News:
"We stand behind our policy and will continue our fight to protect children in our library."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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