A statewide wave of public library book challenges calling for the removal or relocation of books containing LGBTQ content reached its peak in September and resulted in the Alabama Public Library System cutting ties with the American Library Association as well as the restructuring of the Cullman County Public Library Board.

Prattville Library executive director Andrew Foster told The Times in September that the controversy began when “The Pronoun Book,” written by Chris Ayala-Kronos and illustrated by Melita Tarado, was challenged by an individual who would go on to launch the “parental-rights” group Clean Up Prattville — later referred to as Clean Up Alabama.

Modeling themselves after the Tampa, Fla. based group Moms For Liberty, the group would continue their efforts by submitting upwards of 100 book challenges between March and September.

The now former interim Cullman County Library Director Josie Harrington told The Times, groups of like-minded individuals would band with the goal of overwhelming library staff in an effort to have books which they deemed offensive removed from shelves. While Harrington said Cullman County had not reached the level of challenges seen elsewhere in the state, local efforts had been on the rise.

Harrington said challenges submitted to the CCPLS had been filed by individuals who had either just begun utilizing the library or whose membership had not been active for an extended amount of time. She said the content of the books challenged almost exclusively contained content or characters within the LGBTQ community.

“A lot of these materials these people are wanting to remove is because of its LGBT content, a lot of it is not truly inappropriate, or at least no more explicit than “straight” [heterosexual] content. It’s also mostly taken out of context, there may be discussions about things of a sexual nature, but it’s only being flagged because it deals with these topics regarding two LGBTQ people as opposed to two heterosexual people,” Harrington said in September.

Vinemont resident, Shirley Arnett, discussed the challenges for three books — “Prince and Knight” by Daniel Haack, “Heather Has Two Mommies” by Leslea Newman and “Lily and Dunkin” by Donna Gephart — which she presented to the CCPLS in August.

One particular concern for Arnett was with the “agenda” she felt was being pushed specifically by “Prince and Knight,” noting how a portion of proceeds from its sale support LGBTQ advocacy groups.

Harrington clarified how the majority of books in circulation are added at the request of library patrons, with others coming from vendor recommendations or community donations.

Residents who would later go on to form a local Cullman County chapter of the library advocacy group Read Freely Alabama — created in opposition to the efforts of CUA — were ready to defend the books’ content as well as their position in the children’s and young adult sections of the library.

“I would like to point out how taxpayers in this county include gay people, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people and they should have access to books and materials that reflect their way of life,” Angie Frost said during the public comments portion of the September meeting.

After tabling a decision for an additional month, the CCPLS elected for each of the challenged books to remain in their respective sections of the library.

Another sticking point for CUA has been their call for the APLS to cut ties with the American Library Association.

Harrington told The Times in September that withdrawing from the ALA — and the more local Alabama Library Association (ALLA) — would only serve to eliminate resources from already underfunded library systems.

Each of the Cullman County Commissioners signed a petition — created by CUA and presented by Arnett — calling for ALA disassociation in August. Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons told The Times in September the commission is not involved in setting library policy past appointing the library board members but did not respond to follow-up questions as the ways the commission could offset the cost of any lost resources if the library were to withdraw from the ALA.

Faced with the possibility of losing its State funding, APLS Director Nancy Pack announced the APLS would be terminating its institutional membership with the ALA after nearly two months of discourse with Gov. Ivey.

Between August and November, former board member Lea Scott voluntarily vacated her seat with the CCPLS board and former Director Sharon Townson announced her retirement which lead to Harrington being appointed interim director. While Harrington originally intended to vie for the permanent director position, she ultimately offered her resignation in November citing current staffing shortages, too low of a salary for what she described as more responsibilities than what is typical for the position as well as “concerning statements by county commissioners.”

Harrington’s last day as interim director was Dec. 1. The CCPLS is currently conducting an ongoing public search to fill the position.