'Partisan politics': Arkansas judge ousts librarian without reason at GOP board’s request

An Arkansas judge removed a county library manager Monday at the request of GOP-led committee, News From The States reports.

Per the report, "The all-Republican Saline County Quorum Court recommended in April that the library 'relocate materials that are not subject-matter or age appropriate for children, due to their sexual content or imagery, to an area that is not accessible to children.'"

News From the States reports:

Arkansas law states that a 'county librarian' can only be appointed at the recommendation of the library board, if the board exists.

Saline County's library board was created by a 1978 county ordinance, which said the board had 'full and complete authority' to maintain the library and “the exclusive right and power” to purchase library materials.

The quorum court amended this ordinance in August, removing those phrases and adding 'subject to oversight by the Saline County Judge.' The altered ordinance also requires the library board to submit all proposed changes to library policy to the county judge for approval, submit its annual budget to the quorum court for approval and obtain insurance policies in case of “claims that may be made due to actions or inactions” of the board and library administration.

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Pattie Hector, according to the report, "said in an interview Monday that she was not surprised to be let go after members of both the public and the quorum court called for her firing. A Benton billboard connected to Saline County Republicans said 'Director Hector MUST GO' in June; it said 'STOP X-rated library books' when it was erected in May."

News From The States reports, "In response to backlash against the availability of these books, the nonpartisan Saline County Library Alliance formed to defend the library and oppose the efforts to censor books."

In a Monday Facebook post, the alliance wrote, "We will continue to stand by the library in defense of the First Amendment and the rights of Saline County residents to access information. Though we are incredibly saddened to see such an incredible leader removed from her position over partisan politics, we are also confident that she will continue to be of immense benefit to the community regardless, as too will be the Saline County Library itself."

Hector said "County Judge Matt Brumley and county human resources director Christy Peterson told her in person Monday morning that her 'services are no longer needed.'"

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She emphasized, "For five months they held the axe over my head. How does that make a person feel? It's just rude and uncalled for [and] not professional."

Hector also added she was not given "a reason for her firing or ask her to sign any documents" by county officials.

"I'm thinking I did not do anything wrong, except to not ban books," she noted.

News From The States add that when Hector was asked whether she'll sue the county, she replied, "Let's just say I have an attorney."

News From The States' full report is available at this link.