In the aftermath of the appointment of Doug Darr, a supporter of the extremist group Clean Up Alabama, and the mass resignations of many Autauga-Prattville Public Library existing board members, Read Freely Alabama, Autauga-Prattville Chapter is very concerned with the politicization of the library board appointment process. 

We call on the County Commissioners to recruit and appoint qualified residents who will focus on the future stability and integrity of the library. We expect that qualified board members should have the following skills and characteristics:

1. Passion for the Autauga-Prattville Public Library’s mission and goals:
   • Understands the principles and issues relating to intellectual freedom and equitable provision of public library services
   • Commits to freedom of expression and inquiry for all people
   • Maintains an awareness of library issues and trends, and the implications for library users
   • Adopts mission and policies that reflect the mission and goals of the library
     
     
   • Committed to public libraries and to providing library services within Autauga County/Prattville
2. Willingness to advocate for the needs and interests of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library:
   • Secures adequate funding for staffing, programs, and facilities from the governing body
   • Assists in the determination of and advocates for reasonable director and staff salaries and benefits
   • Committed to supporting the interests of constitutional librarianship in legislation and other government activities
   • Represents the library to the community and local government in a manner that maintains and increases the library’s ability to meet their community’s needs
   • Sets 3–5-year goals with a plan focused on meeting community needs
     
     
3. Previous professional or board experience with these processes:
   • Strategic short-term and long-term planning
   • Policy development
   • Budget development, approval, and oversight
   • Evaluating and supervising the executive director
   • Establishment of annual goals
   • Working with local and state government officials
     
     
4. Knowledge of or demonstrated ability to learn:
   
   • Services and resources the library provides to users
     
   • Pertinent local and state laws
     
   • Alabama public library administrative code, law and standards
     
   • Board governance best practices
     
   • Principles and practices for ensuring the library provides broad and equitable access to knowledge, information, and diversity of ideas needed by all community members  
     
   • Administrative and financial oversight on a public board
     
   • Robert’s Rules of Order
     
   • Open meeting laws
     
     
5. Ability to Represent the Community:
   • Neutral and/or able to reach a consensus with diverse opinions while protecting the principles of constitutional librarianship
   • Ability to represent the needs and varied interests of the community at large and the library
   • Ability to handle opposition and make decisions in the interest of library service
   • Ability to liaison with the public; interpret and inform local government, media, and public of library services and needs
     
     
6. Demonstrates personal commitment and strong character:
   • Lends expertise and experience to the organization
   • Commits time required to prepare for and participate in meetings, committees, and other activities and library functions
     
   • Has strong interpersonal and communication skills
   • Ensures legal and ethical integrity and maintains accountability

We urge the Autauga County Commissioners to select candidates that possess these qualities. If requested, Read Freely Alabama, Autauga-Prattville Chapter would work with the Commission and the APPL Library Director, Andrew Foster, to identify the right candidates who possess these traits and would be able to best serve the community.

Read Freely Alabama,
Autauga-Prattville Chapter
[email protected]