Fairhope Public Library refuses to remove graphic books targeting children from shelves

November 20, 2024 - Certain libraries in Alabama in recent years have been proselytizing the LGBTQ+ agenda to small impressionable children through things like drag queen book readings, hosting special LGBTQ+ meetings and events; but most often by placing LGBTQ+ books promoting alternative lifestyles in the children's sections of the libraries. There adults are unlikely to ever notice them; but curious children can't help but come across the often-graphic materials. The Fairhope Public Library is just the latest public library that is defying Alabama law and community decency standards by placing those kinds of books in the children section and then refusing to take them off the shelves or implement common sense policies.

Cleanup Alabama is accusing the library director and library board chair at Fairhope Public Library of having rejected repeated requests to protect children from exposure to sexual content in the publicly funded library.

"Library Director Tamara Dean has rejected repeated requests to remove materials from the children's sections of the library that contain disturbing content - such as sexual assault, drug abuse, pedophilia, child trafficking, and graphic depictions of gender transitioning," Cleanup Alabama said in a statement. "Some of the materials remain in areas for children as young as 3 years old and other materials are easily accessible by minors aged 13-17. She claims that Parts and Hearts by Jensen Hillenbrand, a book that perpetuates lies to boys and girls by telling them they will wake up happy after choosing to mutilate themselves via surgery, is "educational". This book teaches children how to transition genders and includes instructions on taking hormones and undergoing surgery. The library board of trustees chair, Anne Johnson, also claims that the book Grown, which graphically depicts abuse and sexual assault, is "entirely appropriate" for minors. Excerpts from both books are included at the end of this email along with written communication from the library."

"Both of these books - and many others - clearly violate the new APLS policy guidelines and yet the library insists they will stay right where they are," Cleanup Alabama continued. "In their justification, the Fairhope library asserts that the APLS board granted the exemption of educational materials. Even if the dubious claim of Parts and Hearts being educational were true, no such exemption exists in the current APLS guidelines. The exemption in the code is ONLY for religious, history, anatomy and biology texts. These books fall outside of those categories. To make matters worse, Chair Anne Johnson recently made comments dismissing these books as being about "rainbows and colors" (as reported by 1819 news) at a meeting hosted by an activist group working against the statewide policies to protect Alabama's children. She has undermined the needs and concerns of Fairhope families and shown a clear bias in favor of these far-left groups. Her refusal to follow APLS guidelines and protect children from harmful content calls her ability to fairly serve the community into question."

Cleanup Alabama said that they and their allies and supporters are, "Demanding her immediate resignation from the library board. They are also calling on the Fairhope City Council to withhold the library's $225,000 capital budget for 2025 until the fully comply with APLS policies and put the safety of our children first."

Cleanup Alabama has a petition urging local officials to take immediate action to protect children from harmful materials in the publicly funded library."

They are also asking residents of Fairhope to email the Fairhope City Council and demand the resignation of Anne Johnson as the Library Board Chair.

"We need your help to stop this lunacy and make sure that Fairhope's children are protected from harmful content. Sign the petition, share this message, and demand change," continued Cleanup Alabama. "Our children deserve better."