The Fairhope Public Library is under fire after being accused of violating new rules by the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS).
Last week, Fairhope Library Board of Trustees chairman Anne Johnson claimed the board created new rules to comply, but she said they tried to “loosen the language” so the rules weren’t so restrictive.
Libraries must create policies to govern juvenile sections and protect youth from sexually explicit or inappropriate material. Libraries must have written guidelines to ensure minors do not come into contact with obscene materials and there must be library cards for minors under the age of 18 that require parental approval before checkout.
Clean Up Alabama claims Fairhope Library director Tamara Dean has “rejected repeated requests to remove materials from the children’s sections of the library that contain disturbing content — such as sexual assault, drug abuse, pedophilia, child trafficking, and graphic depictions of gender transitioning.”
An example of a book available in the library’s children’s section is “Parts and Hearts” by Jensen Hillenbrand. The book explains to children how “transitioning” with medication and surgery can make people healthier.
The book was challenged and remains in the juvenile non-fiction section of the library. Dean wrote in response to the challenge that the book is meant to educate on a sensitive topic and she said the book is exempt by the APLS board for educational purposes.
APLS chair John Wahl told 1819 News he is not aware of the book being part of the exemption.
While Johnson says democracy and freedom of speech are under attack, concerned Fairhope residents are calling for her resignation. They are asking the Fairhope City Council to withhold the library’s $225,000 capital budget for 2025 until the board complies with the APLS policies.
Clean Up Alabama has created an online petition against the library’s decisions.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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