Arkansas
Laws on book challenges, ‘indoctrination’ create culture of fear in Arkansas school libraries
Brittani Brooks isn’t worried she might lose her job, unlike many of her peers.
The Pulaski Heights Middle School librarian works in the Little Rock School District, which hasn’t seen the backlash that other areas of the state have against books depicting a diverse set of human experiences, so she publicly opposed a law that would change how libraries handle materials some consider inappropriate.
Other school librarians don’t have the same sense of security. The Arkansas Advocate reached out to several in different parts of the state and received few responses. Those that did respond declined to speak publicly due to fear of retaliation.
School librarians’ anxieties come from recent state laws governing the availability of books and the sharing of ideas in schools: Act 372 of 2023, the bill Brooks spoke against twice, and the Arkansas LEARNS Act, a wide-ranging education overhaul championed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“I think the unspoken intention [of the law and its supporters] was more about fear, miscommunication and self-censorship, and I think they’ve achieved that, and it’s only going to get worse in schools,” Brooks said.
Act 372 would create criminal liability for librarians who distribute content that some consider “obscene” or “harmful to minors” — two terms that the law does not define — and put the availability of challenged books in the hands of elected officials.
In July, a federal judge blocked the portions of Act 372 pertaining to criminal liability and city or county elected officials’ authority over books in response to a lawsuit from 18 plaintiffs.
But the section of the law giving school boards the power to handle appeals for challenged school library books wasn’t enjoined and went into effect Aug. 1.
Additionally, the LEARNS Act prohibits “indoctrination” of children in schools but does not define the term. Those who oppose “indoctrination” in libraries and classrooms often cite LGBTQ+ topics and systemic racism as the information they do not want children to have.
As a result, some school libraries and districts have become “very strict about how books are chosen and how books are ordered,” trying to preemptively avoid accusations or legal trouble, Brooks said.
In districts where the debate over library content is especially charged, some librarians have found themselves wondering whether they can trust their colleagues after the idea that librarians are harming children has permeated their professional environments.
Hendrix College Library Director Britt Murphy works closely with K-12 librarians throughout the state and said she is aware of the self-censorship and fear affecting their jobs.
“Even when there aren’t laws to restrict our First Amendment rights, or even when we’re questioning them and they might be thrown out, unfortunately [public sentiment] has already done its dirty work because of the fear factor among librarians,” Murphy said. “It’s a real shame.”
‘Interference’
Act 372 requires school principals to select “a committee of licensed personnel,” which can include the principal, to be the first to review library materials challenged on the basis of “appropriateness.”
If the committee chooses to keep the book available to children, challengers can appeal the decision to the school board, which will then decide whether the book should remain in place or be relocated somewhere that minors cannot access.
Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate
All school and public libraries already had procedures in place to handle book challenges before Act 372 was introduced this year. Brooks reminded the House Judiciary Committee that school libraries must have content reconsideration policies in order to be accredited by the state Department of Education.
She also said school librarians across Arkansas were removing books from shelves “behind closed doors,” since other states have also passed policies limiting what topics can be shared or discussed in schools.
Florida is one of those states. Books challenged or removed from shelves in Florida have frequently been by or about racial minorities, including civil rights activist Rosa Parks. The state also passed a law, known as “don’t say gay,” prohibiting the discussion of sexual orientation in K-12 classrooms.
Arkansans who spoke against Act 372 while it was moving through the Legislature expressed concerns that influxes of book challenges under the new law would create an undue burden on school and public librarians.
This adds to librarians’ anxieties about Act 372, since they already had “a really effective policy procedure” for book challenges, Murphy said. She called the new policy “overkill” and “interference with what librarians do,” especially since librarians are “rule-followers with strong feelings about the First Amendment.”
“I don’t think there was a lot of understanding or thought put into the practicalities of how imposing this new procedure on librarians would take place,” Murphy said.
Implementation and restriction
Public opposition to LGBTQ+ books in Arkansas schools predates both Act 372 and the LEARNS Act, though it varies by district and region.
The Conway school board removed two LGBTQ+ books from school libraries in October 2022. At the same meeting, the board approved a policy requiring transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their gender assigned at birth.
Meanwhile in Northwest Arkansas, the Farmington school board restricted two books to readers age 17 and older in March after a parent voiced concerns. The school librarian, principal and three teachers formed a committee to handle the book challenges, and after the committee voted to retain the books, the school board overrode the decision, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and documents received via a public records request.
The process played out similarly to the one outlined in Act 372, which had not yet passed the Legislature at the time.
Sanders signed the law March 31, and the Arkansas Department of Education has since provided schools with some instructions on how to comply with Act 372.
Former Fayetteville High School Librarian Cassandra Barnett, who now works for ADE, supervised the Act 372 training. Barnett and two other school librarians wrote a letter to the Fayetteville school board in 2005, defending their jobs and their libraries against public accusations of misconduct by having books on the shelves that depicted sexual content and LGBTQ+ people.
Librarians said they needed the state’s input on the law to put their minds at ease, due to the since-blocked criminal liability portion of Act 372.
Act 372 information for school libraries (Source: Arkansas Department of Education via Freedom of Information Act request)
Barnett told librarians they would have to relocate books to where minors cannot reach them if school boards say so. This would mean only school faculty, staff and 18-year-old high school seniors would have access to relocated books.
In response to questions about the implementation of Act 372, ADE spokeswoman Kimberly Mundell said it is up to each district to determine compliance in its policies and selections of library materials.
“We encourage districts to read the law and consult with their legal counsel if they have any questions, as it is essential that the law be upheld,” Mundell said. “Parents have the right to know what information and materials their children have access to at school, and transparency on the local level is important.”
Vague policy ‘by design’
The lawsuit against Act 372 will go to trial in October 2024, but the unchallenged sections of the law are likely to remain up to interpretation regardless of whether U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks declares the challenged sections unconstitutional.
The judge wrote in his 49-page ruling that the “lack of clarity seems to have been by design” in the blocked portion of Act 372 giving city or county elected officials the power to relocate library books.
“By keeping the pivotal terms vague, local governing bodies have greater flexibility to assess a given challenge however they please rather than how the Constitution dictates,” he wrote.
The language in the section pertaining to school boards is nearly identical.
At the start of the 2023 school year, the Pulaski County Special School District cut students’ access to the Central Arkansas Library System’s online educational materials program, citing the lack of a “filter” in the database and seeking “more clarity as to what’s acceptable and what’s not” under Act 372, district spokeswoman Jessica Duff said.
PCSSD will reinstate access to the program in January with the condition of parental permission, the district announced earlier this month.
Regarding the books available at PCSSD libraries, Duff said the district and its librarians “do not have any concerns” about job security and “continue to stock their libraries with content that best suits the needs of their students.”
Brooks, the Pulaski Heights Middle School librarian, said she is confident that none of the books in her library run afoul of the undefined terms in Act 372 and the LEARNS Act.
“One thing I always tell people is, ‘We know we don’t indoctrinate kids. We don’t,’” she said. “…I’m not going to go around proving that I don’t. They would have to prove that I do.”
Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and Twitter.
FAYETTEVILL – In a thrilling contest that featured 5.1 impressive innings in the circle from sophomore Payton Burnham and a go-ahead two-run home run from Tianna Bell, the No. 6/8 Arkansas Razorbacks defeated No. 1 Oklahoma, 3-2, on Saturday night at Love’s Field to even the series and set up a winner-take-all series finale on Sunday.
Win the win, Arkansas recorded its third victory in program history over a consensus No. 1-ranked opponent, having previously defeated UCLA (Feb. 18, 2011) and Cal (May 19, 2012).
It also marked the Razorbacks’ third win in program history over a No. 1 opponent in the ESPN/USA Softball Poll and the fifth over a top-ranked team in the NFCA Coaches Poll.
Arkansas (36-7, 11-6 SEC) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning courtesy of an RBI double down the right-field line from Kennedy Miller. The Sooners then tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning, with a solo home run from Sydney Emerling.
Tianna Bell put the Hogs ahead for good by blasting a two-run homer into the left-center field bleachers in the top of the fifth inning. Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells accounted for the final run of the contest with a solo shot to left field, bringing the score to 3-2.
The Razorbacks’ pitching staff did not allow a walk in the win. Payton Burnham was phenomenal in the circle during her 10th victory of the season, striking out three while allowing two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings of work.
Robyn Herron earned her fourth save of the season by retiring the final five Oklahoma batters in the contest.
In addition to Bell’s two-run blast and Miller’s RBI double, Reagan Johnson and Kailey Wyckoff singled in the victory.
Sydney Berzon fell to 5-2 on the season for Oklahoma (41-6, 14-3 SEC) after allowing two runs on two hits with one strikeout in her 4.2 innings pitched.
QUOTABLES
Arkansas Head Coach Courtney Deifel
On the victory…
“Any win right now is a big one for the program. It was really great in this environment just to see our team stay the course and trust themselves. It is a hostile environment that is very loud. They have a lot of energy. For our team to just lean into each other and find a way to get the win was big. Any win is really big, so it just feels really awesome.”
On Payton Burnham’s performance…
“She was in her element. She loves the big moment. She wants the ball, and she was locked in today. She was dialed, and I am really proud of her.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Payton Burnham earned her 12th start of the season in the circle for Arkansas, while Oklahoma gave the ball to Miali Guachino.
In the top of the first inning, Guachino retired the Hogs in order courtesy of a pair of groundouts and a lineout. Burnham spun a 1-2-3 bottom of the first courtesy of a groundout, strikeout, and a groundout.
Kailey Wyckoff recorded the first hit of the contest with a two-out single up the middle in the top of the second inning. She would later come around to score a batter later on an RBI double down the right-field line from Kennedy Miller, giving the Hogs a 1-0 lead.
Cam Harrison followed Miller’s double with a walk, but OU would escape without further damage courtesy of OU right fielder Ella Parker taking an extra-base hit away from Karlie Davison with a catch at the wall in right field.
Burnham spun another scoreless frame in the home half of the second inning, highlighted by a 6-4 double play from shortstop Atalyia Rijo, who snagged a line drive and threw to Davison at second base to double off the Sooners’ Gabbie Garcia, who reached on a leadoff single.
Brinli Bain drew a one-out walk in the top of the third inning, prompting Oklahoma to make a pitching change and bring in LSU transfer Sydney Berzon.
Wyckoff made an incredible catch with a leaping grab at the wall in left field for the first out of the bottom of the third. She would then catch a pair of fly balls as Burnham completed a 1-2-3 frame.
Berzon retired the Hogs in order during the top of the fourth inning. Burnham recorded a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth inning while picking up her second and third strikeouts of the night.
Reagan Johnson reached courtesy of a two-out infield single in the top of the fifth inning. Oklahoma first baseman Isabella Imerling tied the game with a leadoff solo home run to left-center field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Following the home run, Reagan Johnson made a diving catch in right-center field to take away an extra-base hit from Pickering.
Ella McDowell was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the sixth inning. Tianna Bell then gave Arkansas a 3-1 lead with a two-run shot into the left-center field bleachers, her 14th of the season, tying Dakota Kennedy for the team-lead.
Oklahoma made it a one-run ballgame with a one-out solo home run off the bat of freshman Kendall Wells. Following the home run, Robyn Herron entered the circle and would retire the next two batters faced by way of a strikeout and a lineout.
Berzon retired the Hogs in order in the top of the seventh inning. Herron trotted out to the circle looking to complete the save in the bottom of the seventh.
Herron fanned Imerling for the first out of the frame before issuing a lineout to Johnson in center field for the second out.
She then got Aliana Agbayani to ground out to Karlie Davison at second for the final out of the win as Arkansas evened the series and improved to 36-7 overall and 11-6 in SEC play.
NOTABLES
- Reagan Johnson registered her 205th start batting leadoff, which tied the career program record set by Devon Wallace, 205 (2012-2015).
- Payton Burnham improved to 10-3 this season after striking out three and allowing just two runs on four hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. Arkansas is now 22-6 when a starting pitcher goes 5+ innings without allowing a walk.
- Tianna Bell blasted her 46th career home run and 14th home run this season with a two-run shot in the top of the sixth inning. Bell is now tied for the team lead in home runs alongside Dakota Kennedy.
- Kyler Del Duca recorded her first collegiate start, batting eighth and playing left field.
- Arkansas had five different outfielders in the victory (Reagan Johnson CF, Kailey Wyckoff RF/LF, Ramsey Walker LF/RF, Kyler Del Duca LF, Brinli Bain RF)
- Kennedy Miller increased her career-high reached base streak to 11 games.
- Arkansas is 148-41 since 2001, when its pitching staff issues no walks in a game. The Razorbacks are 94-18 when issuing no walks under head coach Courtney Deifel (2016-present). Arkansas has won 21 of its last 22 when issuing zero walks dating back to April 6, 2023.
- Arkansas snapped Oklahoma’s 31-game home winning streak, which was the longest active winning streak in the nation entering the contest.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — A big change is rolling in for one of central Arkansas’ most recognizable nonprofits serving the unhoused community.
Aaron Reddin is stepping down as executive director of The Van, effective immediately. The organization has been a critical presence in the region, providing food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies and emergency shelter for people in need, particularly in North Little Rock.
Reddin said he’s leaving day-to-day leadership because of ongoing personal health challenges. “I was diagnosed with CRPS in 22,” Reddin said, referring to complex regional pain syndrome, a condition that can cause severe, persistent pain. He said that “in early 24 I was in a accident that caused the spread of the disease into my upper body,” and that it has “greatly impacted my ability to be present.”
“I’m in weekly treatments and medications and things like that, that caused my absence,” Reddin said. “And you know, even though I may be slowed down, the organization is not and so that’s an unsustainable imbalance, and at some point it has to be acknowledged.”
While he’s stepping away from daily leadership, Reddin will remain involved with The Van as a board member.
Parker Reid has been selected to take over as executive director. Reid said he’s ready to get started and build on what’s already in place.
“I am most excited, I think, just to really hit the ground running,” Reid said. He said he and Reddin have talked about the organization’s infrastructure and what they want it to look like going forward, with a focus on “really just refining what we what we have going on already, and really expanding our volunteer involvement.”
Reddin reflected on how much the organization has grown during his time leading it. “We’ve grown,” he said. “You know, I’ve always thought that we’ve hit a plateau, and then there’s, it just keeps going.”
He also emphasized how The Van is funded. “We’re 99.9% private donor funded. We don’t touch your tax dollars,” Reddin said. “So this is all people helping people from from the bank account to the streets. It’s people powered.”
Asked about a proud moment, Reddin pointed to a recent opportunity to share The Van’s work with a much bigger audience. “I got the chance this past winter to talk about our work here in Little Rock on CNN International live,” he said, adding that the network gave him “like, 13 total minutes, two different days.”
Reddin said he valued being able to spotlight Little Rock as a community that looks out for its neighbors. He said he was able to show people that “we care about each other, we care about our neighbors, regardless of you know what those unconventional sleeping circumstances may look like at the time.”
The Van has also raised money to find and build a shelter for the unhoused, and Reddin said the organization’s emergency shelter work started even before the first van was in service. He said having a more permanent setup will be a major step forward, rather than moving supplies in and out during each weather event.
As Reid steps into the role, he said he’s mindful of what the organization means to Reddin and to the community. He hopes to “take care of of his baby,” he said, because “it means a lot to him, and it means a lot to me to have watched him, you know, grow it for as long as I’ve gotten to watch.”
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 16 Arkansas (26-14, 9-8 SEC) fell behind early and was unable to catch up with No. 5 Georgia (31-9, 12-5 SEC) in its 5-3 setback Friday night at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Razorbacks and Bulldogs will play for the series at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 18, on SEC Network+ with Josh Haley (play-by-play) and Troy Eklund (analyst) on the call.
Entering tomorrow’s finale, Arkansas has won four consecutive weekend series against Georgia inside Baum-Walker Stadium (2010, 2012, 2017 & 2021). The Hogs have not lost a series to the Bulldogs at home since the 2008 campaign.
Cole Gibler, making his second career start on the mound, provided Arkansas with five innings of four-run ball and two strikeouts. Georgia tagged the left-hander for a solo homer in the top half of the second and scored a pair of two-out runs in the top half of the third before adding a fourth run on a double in the sixth inning to open a 4-0 advantage.
Arkansas responded to its deficit with Damian Ruiz’s two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth and cut the deficit to two, but Georgia tacked on its fifth and final run of the night on a solo shot in the seventh inning to take a 5-2 lead.
The Razorbacks scratched out a run in the bottom half of the seventh on a wild pitch to bring their deficit back to two. It was as close as they would get, however, as Georgia’s Caden Aoki, who took over in relief for injured starter Dylan Vigue (2.0 IP, 4 SO), turned in five innings of three-run ball (two earned) with five walks and four strikeouts on 105 pitches.
In relief of Gibler, Tate McGuire (2.2 IP,1 R, 2 SO) and Steele Eaves (1.1 IP, 1 SO) combined for four innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts. Offensively, Zack Stewart was the lone Hog with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk.
Ruiz, meanwhile, is now the Razorbacks’ leading hitter in SEC play after going 1-for-3 with a homer, two RBI, a walk and stolen base. Through 13 league games this season, he is slashing .304/.418/.565 with three home runs and eight RBI.
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).
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