Statement from the EveryLibrary Institute on the Firing of Autauga-Prattville Alabama Public Library Staff
EveryLibrary is alarmed by the library board's firing of the Autauga-Prattville Alabama Public Library director and staff yesterday. It is unethical and unjust. We are calling on the City Council, Mayor, and County Commissioners to return these librarians to their jobs and rescind the discriminatory anti-LBGTQ+ policies imposed by the board. We must take action to ensure that all citizens' rights are protected and that the library is free from workplace harassment and politicized actions.
On March 14, 2024, the Autauga-Prattville Alabama Library board fired the library director for refusing to deny the public access to 113 books. This decision was made following his objections to a new board policy that prohibited the purchase of books for children under the age of 17 that included themes related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance. That policy is a direct attack on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to use their library fully.
We need your help now to save this library from its own board and protect the staff in their heroic stand for what is right.
In protest of that unethical firing, staff members walked out and locked up the library. Unfortunately, the board terminated four additional staff members immediately, raising serious concerns about the board's ethics, authority, and direction.
EveryLibrary, along with Read Freely Alabama and the Prattville First Amendment Defense Group, urgently call on the Prattville City Council, Mayor, and the Autauga County Commission to:
- Immediately rescind the firing of Library Director Andrew Foster and the four staff members.
- End the discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ citizens, ensuring the library remains accessible for all.
- Adhere to the First Amendment and anti-discrimination laws, guaranteeing that the library can continue to serve as a true community institution.
Please join us in taking action and sending a message to the City and County.
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In order to support the staff and advance this campaign, we have established a GoFundMe through the EveryLibrary Institute, our 501(c)(3) charitable arm. Donations will serve two critical needs: defending and supporting the staff during this challenging time and backing the local campaign to terminate discriminatory library policies and reinstate the staff. The EveryLibrary Institute, a Gold Rated charity on GuideStar, has successfully partnered in library crisis campaigns nationwide, including the Patmos Library in Michigan, Ridgeland Library in Mississippi, and the HALO Fund for library workers during COVID. Contributions to this GoFundMe are tax-deductible.
We are asking library advocates and everyone concerned with civil rights and civil liberties to stand up for the library and the staff. Help protect the Autauga-Prattville Public Library from becoming a tool for exclusion and discrimination. We must reverse these reprehensible actions and ensure the library remains a free and safe space for everyone in the community. Join us in supporting the Autauga-Prattville Public Library staff as they defend our Constitutional rights and democratic society.