Alabama town backs down after blocking book from Christian library: ‘Embarrassing’

A power struggle within the small town of Clay spills over into decisions about the books on the library shelves.

Last month, the city manager told library board members they could no longer buy religious books to avoid lawsuits from political groups. City Manager Ronnie Dixon initially told library staff they could not buy a Christian book, but after complaints, backtracked and allowed them to buy it.

Dixon did not want the library to purchase “Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes” by Dave and Neta Jackson.

“The library should not do anything that might attract the attention of watchdog groups,” Dixon said at a meeting in June. “The library should not purchase books already in the JCLC if they might attract attention because of religious or gender/sexual content, and no books should be purchased if a religious book is used as the only source.”

Dixon’s statement raised concerns among Christians in Clay. Although the state recently updated rules requiring libraries to keep inappropriate books away from children, there are no restrictions on religious books or materials.

The members of the library board were also confused.

In an email to Dixon, Library Board Secretary Sarah Grafman said, “When I read the Governor’s statement, which I recall being discussed in previous meetings, I assumed she was referring to LGBTQ+ content, not religious. My concern, based on your statement, is that we are exposing ourselves to liability with respect to religious freedom issues.”

In response, Dixon said, “Although most in our community would accept any Christian book we purchase, there are observers who will object and potentially escalate the matter.” AL.com left emails and voicemail messages requesting an interview with Dixon.

Mayor Charles Webster said the situation had been blown out of proportion and had become more of a clash of “personalities” between the library board and Dixon.

“It was a misunderstanding,” Webster told AL.com. Webster said a customer complained about the book. “It wasn’t a problem. We just had a question: ‘Why are you putting all the religious books on the shelf?’ It wasn’t that we had anything against the book.”

The book was finally approved and purchased.

Webster said he was not sure whether taxpayer money should be used to purchase books aimed at members of a particular religion.

“If you put a Bible on the shelf, you have to put the Koran on the shelf,” Webster said. “You’re laying yourself open to a lawsuit if you start to specify things and leave out one group. You have to take everyone into account. You can’t do something for just one group.”

Library board members are frustrated and feel they have little decision-making authority.

“The city doesn’t want the library board to have a say in the library’s operations,” Grafman said. “I think it’s embarrassing for the city, and no one seems to really listen to me.”

She said she believed the Freedom From Religion Foundation was one of the groups Dixon was talking about.

“Because the city received letters from them saying it would be better to stop the purchase,” Grafman said.

According to Grafman, Dixon threw the letters in the trash. However, she herself has not seen the letters. She said she asked for clarification because “this seems like a strange attitude.”

AL.com contacted the Freedom from Religion Foundation’s legal department to check if the city of Clay has received any complaints. The organization has not found any documents so far.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the separation of church and state, complained this year about a religious motto of the high school football team And Prayers in Service at Birmingham Police.

Tara Gearhart resigned as library director in June. Gearhart did not respond to AL.com’s request for comment.

Library Committee Chair Jane Anderton said the City Council should not make such decisions and the charter states that library committees are governing bodies. Mayor Webster told her the committee’s duties were only “advisory,” she said.

Dixon will be responsible for day-to-day library operations, including book purchasing.

Anderton said every expense, even for small items like rugs, had to be approved by Dixon before it was purchased for the library, “like we were going to our daddy.”

Concerns about government overreach were raised at a July 9 library board meeting. Anderton said Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Jefferson County) allocated $10,000 to the library and the board was not informed. Webster said the money was not received.

She said Dixon has “done good things for the city,” particularly by supporting local schools, but she believes he should not be in charge of library operations.

Grafman said there will be a board meeting on July 23 to work on new curation policies and bylaws.