New rules for public libraries

In an effort to conform to guidelines from the Alabama Public Library Service the Flomaton Public Library has begun issuing age-specific library cards and the library will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 16 and 17, to reorganize and possibly move books in the adult, young adult and juvenile book sections.

Librarian Kaci Boutwell said the new state guidelines could jeopardize state funding for public libraries in the state that do not conform.

Boutwell said the library board met last week and adopted new policies, which after being reviewed by the town's attorney, will be sent to the Alabama Public Library Service for approval.

Boutwell said the new library policy follows similar policies approved by other libraries across the state.

Beginning Tuesday, the library began issuing new library cards. She said anyone 18 years old or older simply needs to come by the library, show an identification and will be issued a new library card.

People 17 years old and younger will have to be accompanied to the library by their parent or guardian to fill out a form giving the juvenile permission to check out books. The parent or guardian will then sign the form and check which section (juvenile, young adult or adult) their juvenile can check out books.

She said nobody can check out a book without a new age specific library card and cards must be presented every time a book is checked out. The library is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Boutwell noted the parent or guardian has the right to only allow books to be checked out of the juvenile section. If the juvenile section only is selected, a parent or guardian would have to accompany the juvenile to the library to check out a book.

Boutwell said the library has always had the three sections and filtering devices on computers but library cards were not age specific.

Boutwell said the library staff will view multiple websites and talk with other librarians when deciding which section a book should be placed. She added that the Library of Congress also has notes on which section the books should be located.

She also said graphic novels and all comic books have already been moved to the adult section.

"This is geared more toward children," Boutwell said. "But anyone under the age of 18 must have parental consent to check out a book."

Boutwell said moving or removing books will be complaint driven. She added to make a complaint about a book being in a certain section the person making the complaint must be a member of the library in good standing for at least three months.

Boutwell said anyone wishing to make a complaint will be required to fill out a reconsideration form and the complaint would go before the library board at its next meeting. She noted the book in question will remain in circulation until the board has made its decision on whether or not to move the book.

Criminalizing libraries

State Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Shelby County, has pre-filed a bill in the Alabama Legislature for the 2025 session that would criminalize failure by the public and K-12 libraries to remove challenged books, possibly filing criminal charges against librarians. A senate bill has also been filed that makes it easier for city councils and county commissions to replace library board members.

Such bills were introduced in the 2024 legislative session, but did not pass.

Mooney's bill does say the criminal obscenity laws do not apply to college university libraries, but do apply to public and public school libraries.

Mooney bill says obscene material is based on "the average person" person's interpretation based on the book taken as a whole and is "offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors". It also includes what "a reasonable person" would find offensive.

Under Mooney's bill has 15 days to respond to complaints with the complaint sent to the library by certified mail. Once notice is received, the library has 15 days to take action and if no action is taken within 25 business days of the initial notice the complainant can contact law enforcement.

The bill does say a court or grand jury may not issue a warrant or indictment for violation before law enforcement has received the documentation.