obscenity
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 […]
UPDATED: Saline County officials shift power over library staff, operations to county judge
This story was updated at 6:02 p.m. Aug. 22, 2023 BENTON — The Saline County Quorum Court granted the county judge some control over the local library system’s staff, budget and operations Monday at the third consecutive meeting in which county residents verbally sparred over the availability of certain library books. The all-Republican county governing […]
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 […]
Federal judge will rule this week on imminent application of Arkansas’ library obscenity law
A federal judge will decide later this week whether to temporarily block the law that changes how Arkansas libraries handle controversial material or let it go into effect next week as scheduled. Act 372 of 2023 alters libraries’ material reconsideration processes and creates criminal liability for librarians who distribute content that some consider “obscene” or […]
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 […]
Saline County officials will vote next month on proposal to shift library authority to county judge
The Saline County Quorum Court will decide next month whether to shift some control over the library system’s staff, budget and operations to the county judge. Last month, the court began considering an amendment to the 1978 ordinance that created the library board. Under the ordinance, the trustees have “full and complete authority” to maintain […]
Saline County Quorum Court will fill a second vacancy on the local library board
The Saline County Quorum Court will appoint a new member, for the second time in a month, to the board that oversees the county library system. Laine Holleran resigned from the five-member board last week, and the board has received seven applications to replace her, chairwoman Marian Douglas said at a special board meeting Monday. […]
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 […]
Officials in one Central Arkansas county consider shifting library authority to county judge
BENTON — The Saline County Quorum Court will decide at a future meeting whether to shift some control over the county library system’s staff, budget and operations to the county judge. The proposal, read for the first time at a Monday meeting, would amend the 1978 ordinance that created the five-member board that oversees the […]
Saline County officials move to tighten their authority over library hiring and budget
Library Director Patty Hector‘s name was mud at the Saline County Courthouse Monday night, as the county judge, Quorum Court members and a roster of riled Republicans condemned her ongoing refusal to remove books from the young people’s section. Justice of the Peace Josh Curtis introduced an ordinance to give the county judge power to […]
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 […]