Local, state, and national library organizations are reacting to the dismissal of the Autauga-Prattville Library Board director and at least four staff members who protested his firing.

The firings come after months of book challenges at the local library and a new policy banning young adult books that discuss “sexual orientation, gender identity or gender discordance,” as well as books with sexual content.

The board fired former director Andrew Foster after he fulfilled an open records request. He gave a local reporter redacted emails about the new book policy and about potentially moving more than 100 children’s and young adult books to the adult section. The board also reprimanded him for recording meetings, which is allowed by state law if at least one person consents.

The other staff members were fired after closing the library Thursday in protest of Foster’s dismissal. The library reopened Friday, according to the Montgomery Advertiser, and the fired staff were asked to return to work. So far, two have declined and one has returned.

Alabama Library Association president Matthew Layne said the firing “is a travesty that should frighten every Alabama resident.”

“Social extremists are utilizing ruthless, strong-arm tactics to transform them into political battlegrounds,” Layne said. He said libraries are “essential public resources where all members of our community could gather and learn,” and that the firings were “unjust, politically motivated” and “undermines this library’s capacity for properly, effectively serving the public.”

“Further, it’s a frightening example of what could happen at public libraries across our state,” Layne said. “As a lifelong Alabama resident, I know this is unequivocally not what our state’s residents want.”

Read Freely Alabama, an organization founded in Prattville that has pushed back against book challenges, released a statement supporting Foster and the fired staff.

“The freedom to read is essential, like air and water, to a healthy democracy. We will continue to fight alongside our neighbors in Prattville and the library supporters for the right to read.”

Read Freely is partnering with the national library advocacy organization EveryLibrary with a petition and fundraiser.

“We must take action to ensure that all citizens’ rights are protected and that the library is free from workplace harassment and politicized actions,” EveryLibrary Executive Director John Chrastka said in a statement. He called for local officials to rescind the firings and “end the discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ citizens.”

“We must reverse these reprehensible actions and ensure the library remains a free and safe space for everyone in the community,” Chrastka said

In an interview Friday with AL.com, Foster said the board first asked in Thursday’s special meeting if he was recording. When he said yes, he was told “that was apparently some violation of the federal law, and I better stop recording.” The board gave him the option to resign or be fired.

“I asked for a few minutes and I stepped out of the room and called my legal counsel to get what information I could on what my options were,” Foster said. “After that conversation, I went back in the room and I let them know that I wasn’t going to resign.” The board voted to fire Foster.

Foster then went to the library to talk to his staff, who applauded him. Board President Ray Boles asked Foster to leave the building.

“I do think one of the biggest things that’s stuck out for me in all this has been receiving that community support,” Foster said. He is “blown away by the outpouring of love and support” from residents and library colleagues.

According to the library’s Facebook page, the board will appoint an interim director at 9 a.m. Saturday at the main branch, located at 254 Doster St. in Prattville. The board will nominate a new board member at 5 p.m. Monday at the main branch to replace Christie Sellers, who resigned in February after the LGBTQ book policy was enacted.

The emails exchanged between Foster and Boles can be found at this link and below.