Clean Up Alabama, the group that started the statewide movement opposing the inclusion of sexually explicit books in Alabama libraries, is applauding the recent rule change by the Autauga-Prattville Library Board of Trustees that could create problems for a federal lawsuit filed against the board by those trying to keep the books where they are.
On Monday, the library board voted to align its policies with new administrative rule changes passed by the Alabama Public Library Service after Gov. Kay Ivey suggested the rules in response to statewide concern over sexually explicit children’s books.
Just over a year ago, local residents began petitioning the city council, library board and county commission to address the issue. After months of back-and-forth, the board passed a series of policy changes related to the procurement and display of books with sexual content and books with themes related to gender identity, transgenderism and more.
A group of advocates in the state then filed a federal lawsuit against the board, claiming the new rules were unconstitutional, vague and overbroad. However, on Monday, the Autauga-Prattville Library Board amended its rules, clarifying procedures for placing, reviewing and moderating book content in the library.
The move by the library board could jeopardize the federal lawsuit. Since the board merely conformed its policies with APLS, the lawsuit may need to be amended to add the state, thereby requiring the state to intervene.
Read Freely Alabama, the state group fighting to keep sexually explicit books on children's library shelves, has been silent on the rule change, merely sharing an article by the far-left, state-funded media site Alabama Political Reporter.
Meanwhile, Clean Up Alabama praised the board for “continuing to stand strong” amidst the tumult it has faced in recent months.
“Clean Up Alabama applauds the Autauga Prattville Public Library Board for continuing to stand strong in the fight to protect Alabama’s children from exposure to sexual content in public libraries,” a release from the group said.
It continued, “While Clean Up Alabama prefers to see inappropriate materials clearly defined in the library policies across the state, this move by the APPL to define them in a resolution still upholds the integrity of intent to protect children from exposure to all sexual content and will ensure their protection as well.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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