State Senator Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, has brought forward legislation once again to create a pathway for the removal of library board members.
Senate Bill 26 would change the language in state law such that library board members serve “at the pleasure” of their appointing authorities and could be removed by a two-thirds vote of those authorities.
This is the third time this bill will be considered after numerous changes to the proposal in previous sessions. Elliott originally proposed to allow appointing authorities to remove board members for any reason, but lawmakers amended his bill to require “cause.” Elliott has fought that amendment, arguing local government should be able to remove appointees without cause.
He has so far won that battle, with lawmakers instead pivoting to require two-thirds of the appointing authority to remove a board member rather than a simple majority.
The bill originated when some individuals and groups sought the removal of library board members at the Autauga-Prattville Public Library. Those members all resigned, however, after months of attacks and accusations that the library peddled in child pornography because it housed certain LGBTQ books and books with passages describing sexual situations.
The Fairhope Library Board has also been put under a microscope as the Alabama Public Library Service has withheld its state aid due to claims it is in violation of state code due to the placement of books.
The bill would give increased political control to local governments over library boards as the battle continues across the state over what library books belong in children and youth sections.
The APLS recently voted to ban depictions of transgender stories from minors under 18.
