Read Freely Alabama

Join Read Freely Alabama and the Alabama Library Association for our first Town Hall meeting! We will discuss how Project 2025 already affects Alabama libraries through state library code changes and threatened anti-library legislation. Speakers will debunk common anti-library extremist rhetoric and disinformation. Attendees will leave the event knowing how to practically advocate for their local library, and all Alabama libraries. 

Though we do not require registrations, we do encourage interested persons to RSVP. We will contact all attendees w/ RSVPs prior to the event to pass along any last-minute details or updates. If you have questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected] or call 334-354-7199.

Can't come to this Town Hall? Don't worry! We have Town Halls tentatively planned for Mobile/Baldwin County, Athens/Limestone County, Dothan/Houston County, and Autauga/Montgomery County, with plans to hold several virtual Town Halls over the coming months. 

Don't see your area listed? Ask us to hold one!  

Amy Minton challenged 30 children's and teen books at the Gadsden Public Library in December 2023. She objected to the LGBTQ+ themes and content. Minton argued that taxpayer money should not fund books like LGBTQ+ Athletes Claim The Field: Striving for Equality because it "sexualized" children. 

An active Moms For Liberty supporter, Etowah County Republican secretary and Etowah County Library Committee member, Minton was appointed to the Alabama Public Library Services state library board in February 2024.  

Here are all 30 challenge forms

In September-October 2023, the Dothan-Houston County Library System received twenty-one challenge forms. Like other book challengers, individuals objected to LGBTQ content, claiming children's picture books like Rainbow: A First Book of Pride could sexualize children.

An important shift occurred in Dothan. Challengers started to target books in ADULT sections. Previously, Clean Up Alabama, Moms For Liberty, and other anti-library extremists had targeted only chidren's and teen books, claiming they had no problem with books in Adult sections. We warned that given enough time, extremists would move their goalposts and start attacking Adult books - which is exactly what happened in Dothan.   

Individuals vehemently opposed two books shelved in the Adult section. Challengers said that Gender Queer, an autobiographical graphic novel, "offended [them] as a Christian" and "no place in a civil society." Another challenger claimed that The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison's classic, was "filthy," "vulgar"  and was a "shameful book to have anywhere." 

A sample of the Dothan challenge forms are below - you can view all twenty-one forms here