central arkansas library system
Federal suit challenging Arkansas’ library obscenity law set for trial in October 2024
The trial in the federal lawsuit challenging the Arkansas law that would change how libraries handle controversial material is set to begin in mid-October next year, according to court documents filed Friday. Eighteen plaintiffs sued the state in June over Act 372 of 2023, which would alter libraries’ material reconsideration processes and create criminal liability […]
Arkansas governor appoints two conservatives to state library board amid lawsuit, content debate
This story was updated at 9:38 a.m. on Nov. 21, 2023. Former Arkansas state senator Jason Rapert, a Conway Republican who founded the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, is set to be one of the newest members of the Arkansas State Library Board at a time when children’s access to library materials is a subject […]
Central Arkansas school district drops library’s digital learning tools, citing lack of ‘filter’
More than 11,000 Pulaski County students are unable to access online educational materials through their local public library as a legal precaution, according to school district administrators, in light of the statewide debate over what content children should be able to access in libraries. The Pulaski County Special School District, which covers the rest of […]
Federal judge temporarily blocks two sections of Arkansas’ library obscenity law
A federal judge temporarily blocked portions of the law that would have changed how Arkansas libraries handle controversial material and put the availability of certain books in the hands of elected officials. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks granted plaintiffs’ request to enjoin two of the five sections of Act 372 of 2023, which would alter […]
Arkansas libraries revise policies in anticipation of law on ‘obscene’ content taking effect
Librarians across Arkansas are preparing in different ways for a new state law that is set to take effect next week and changes how libraries handle controversial material. Some library systems have altered their existing material reconsideration forms in hopes of handling future book challenges smoothly and in compliance with the law. Others have come […]
Arkansas libraries ask federal judge to block new library obscenity measure from going into law
The Arkansas libraries challenging a new obscenity law asked a federal judge to stop it from taking effect while he considers whether the law is unconstitutional. The plaintiffs’ lawyers filed a motion and brief in support of a preliminary injunction Thursday. The Central Arkansas Library System and 17 other plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit against […]
State of Arkansas and Crawford County sued over library obscenity law
The Central Arkansas Library System and 17 other plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit Friday against both the state and Crawford County, alleging that two sections of a new law that directly affects library operations are unconstitutional. Act 372 of 2023 alters libraries’ material reconsideration processes and creates criminal liability for librarians who distribute content that […]
Crawford County parents sue library system over relocation of LGBTQ+ children’s books
Three Crawford County parents have sued the county judge, quorum court, library board and interim library director, alleging “unlawful censorship of materials,” specifically children’s books with LGBTQ+ topics, in the county’s five library branches. Rebecka Virden, Nina Prater, Samantha Rowlett and their minor children are all Crawford County residents and library patrons, according to the […]
17 plaintiffs plan to challenge Arkansas’ library obscenity law
The Central Arkansas Library System and 16 other plaintiffs plan to sue the state of Arkansas over two sections of a new law that changes how libraries handle material that some consider “obscene.” The CALS board of directors voted Thursday to file a federal lawsuit challenging the portions of Act 372 of 2023 that alter […]