A coalition of Arkansas librarians and First Amendment supporters, known as Arkansas Right To Read, is fighting against legislation that they believe unfairly targets libraries. This comes after the approval of a bill by a Senate committee that could have made it a misdemeanor for librarians to distribute certain materials. The law was put on hold pending a lawsuit, with parts of it later declared unconstitutional by a federal judge.
Recently, director Allie Gosselink relaunched the Arkansas Right To Read website with the support of Adam Webb, president-elect of the Arkansas Library Association. This comes as State Senator Dan Sullivan, who sponsored the contentious Act 372, introduced new bills aimed at libraries. The proposed legislation includes abolishing the Arkansas State Library Board and reducing academic standards for library directors.
The coalition’s main goal is to provide a platform for library supporters to engage with legislators on library-related issues. They are also encouraging donations and volunteer work through Every Library, a charitable organization that supports libraries and opposes censorship. Residents are also given the opportunity to create local groups to work together against anti-library legislation.
Gosselink and Webb have criticized Sullivan’s bills, expressing concerns about the potential harm to communities if the legislation is passed. They argue that libraries should remain under the oversight of a board appointed by the governor, as opposed to reporting directly to the state Department of Education. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a voice for the people to protect libraries and access to information for all.
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