Senate Bill 6 (SB6), introduced by Senator Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), aims to significantly change the governance of public libraries in Alabama. If passed, SB6 would give local city and county governments the authority to remove library board members at will via a two-thirds vote. It would also eliminate staggered terms for board members and require boards to report their membership and activities related to collection review to state leadership.
These changes threaten the independence of library boards, which have historically been the guardians of intellectual freedom and public trust.
Key Provisions of SB 6
- Political Control Over Library Boards: SB 6 enables local officials to remove library board members without cause, shifting decision-making power from independent library boards to local governments.
- Elimination of Staggered Terms: By abolishing staggered terms, SB 6 disrupts continuity and institutional knowledge within library boards. This instability could make it easier for incoming local officials to reshape boards according to their political agendas.
- State-Mandated Reporting: The bill requires library boards to submit membership lists and reports on materials that have been reviewed or removed from collections to the Governor’s Office, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. This raises concerns about government overreach and potential censorship.
The impact of SB6 on Alabama Libraries would be significant. Library boards have traditionally functioned independently to ensure that public libraries serve all community members free from political influence. SB 6 undermines this tradition by making board members accountable to local politicians rather than the communities they represent. Letting local governments reshape boards at will could lead to increased pressure to remove books and materials based on ideological preferences rather than professional standards. Disruption of board continuity may have negative consequences for financial and operational stability, affecting long-term planning, grant applications, and the ability to maintain consistent library service policies.
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SB6 in the Big Picture
SB 6 is part of a larger movement to reshape public library policies in Alabama. Recent actions by state officials, including changes to the Alabama Public Library Service’s administrative code, along with efforts from advocacy groups such as Clean Up Alabama, have sought to impose restrictions on library collections and access. These initiatives challenge the fundamental mission of public libraries as institutions committed to intellectual freedom and equal access to information.
Free speech organizations, library associations, and advocacy groups—including Read Freely Alabama and the Alabama Library Association (ALLA)—have expressed strong opposition to SB 6. They argue that the bill is intended to politicize library governance and undermine public trust in libraries as neutral spaces for knowledge and learning.
Public libraries are independent community institutions that promote education, literacy, and access to diverse perspectives. SB 6 jeopardizes this mission by introducing political control into library governance. We urge lawmakers to reject this bill and protect the independence and integrity of Alabama’s public libraries.
For more information and ways to take action, visit https://www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb6_2025.