Christie Sellers has completed her term as director of the Autauga-Platteville Public Library just over two months after her appointment.

In the resignation letter sent by the seller to: post On Thursday, he cited new policies the board plans to adopt and the possibility that the board is holding “secret meetings” as reasons for his resignation.

“My resignation follows the embarrassing and disturbing developments in the current board's actions and decisions,” Sellers wrote. “As a dedicated member of the community who wanted to serve on the board with passion and dedication, you blatantly disregard the principles of free speech, engage in censorship, and perpetuate discrimination in your proposed policy changes.” I am no longer in sync with the organization.”

“The proposed policy changes proposed at the February 8th meeting contain language that undermines First Amendment rights in libraries and are deeply disturbing. Libraries are intellectual and literary It should be a sanctuary of political freedom, offering a diversity of perspectives and ideas that are equally representative of different facets of the population, rather than a monolithic stance based on political objectives. , the current board appears to be straying from this fundamental principle and endorsing actions that undermine the very essence of our democratic values.”

The Library Board voted unanimously Thursday night to ban libraries from purchasing materials intended for minors under 17, including LGBTQ content or “sexual content.”

Sellers and colleagues said the policy “results in blatant censorship of certain books in current library collections.”

“Equally disheartening is the clear discrimination against minorities,” Sellers wrote. “As a board member, it is disconcerting to witness conduct that leads to the marginalization of communities within our constituency. We must serve our entire community without prejudice, but such discrimination I believe it is unconscionable to engage with a board that engages in such practices. Even if I vote no, I cannot align myself with the pervasive ideology evidenced by the subcommittee's recommendations.”

The email obtained by post, Sellers expressed concerns about the policy change, but Speaker Ray Bolles assured him that he had “hired a constitutional lawyer” and that the policy would “stand up in court.”

On Thursday night, the board hired Laura Clark, interim director of the Alabama Center for Law and Freedom, for $200 an hour, a day after Boles told Sellers “we” had hired an attorney.

Boles said Clark was retained in part to prevent him from violating the Alabama Legislature Openness Act, which he falsely acknowledged by improperly entering and exiting the executive session during a Jan. 5 meeting. .

However, Sellers expressed concern that the library board continues to violate open meetings laws because it appears to be holding “secret meetings.”

“We have become aware that certain decisions and actions may have been predetermined in secret meetings without the full knowledge or consent of the entire board,” Sellers wrote. “While the essence of transparent governance requires open and inclusive discussion, important decisions that impact library board leadership, library staff, board integrity, and community relations are It is disconcerting to know that such covert acts may have taken place outside of the channels provided. If such covert acts actually took place, it undermines the democracy on which our Board of Directors is based. It undermines our principles and undermines the trust of the communities we have a duty to serve.”

the seller said post Although he has not seen direct evidence of secret meetings, he said the board created such an appearance based on a lack of board discussion.

“At the first meeting to appoint officers, a full roster of officers was determined and voted on in just a few minutes,” Sellers said. “Everyone seemed to know who was going to speak by which name in which office. His four people selected by the county were also selected for all executive positions.”

In addition to the violations mentioned by Mr. Boles regarding improper executive meetings, library board meetings also included potential violations of the Open Meetings Act, including the fact that the board appeared to decide on nominees for director appointments within its executive meetings. A number of other cases were also brought forward.

The Platteville City Council will once again be tasked with appointing new members to the board.