ACLU Sues Over Saline County Librarian Firing

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arkansas has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Patty Hector, the former director of the Saline County Library, alleging she was unlawfully fired in October 2023 for opposing censorship efforts, which violated her First Amendment rights. Hector's dismissal followed a campaign by the Saline County Republican Women and local social conservatives to censor books with LGBTQ+ and racial justice themes. Despite the Saline County Library Board supporting her, a new ordinance allowed County Judge Matthew Brumley to terminate her, a move Hector and the ACLU claim was retaliatory. The lawsuit challenges the ordinance's constitutionality and seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress and lost wages. Hector, a professional librarian with decades of experience, stated she could not remain silent against censorship targeting marginalized communities. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. in Little Rock.