Press Release April 9, 2024

 

Autauga Prattville Public Library

 

For Immediate Release:

Autauga Prattville Public Library Takes Swift Action After Receiving Report of Obscene Book

Prattville, AL - The Autauga Prattville Public Library today released the following statement after receiving a report of obscene material in the library's collection:

During a regularly scheduled field trip to the library, a student from a school in Autauga County found a book containing sexually explicit images. The child was severely disturbed so he informed his parents who then informed library staff.

APPL staff was able to confirm the incident with the school and using video footage from the library's security cameras. The book in question is My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, a graphic novel that illustrates a sexual encounter between an escort and client in a short stay hotel.

APPL swiftly removed the book from the shelves, as it violates the library’s policies. After further investigation it was determined that this book was received as a donation and was added to the collection in January by staff personnel who are no longer employed by APPL.

APPL staff is working tirelessly to ensure an incident like this does not happen again. It is APPL’s policy that such obscene material has no place in a public space where children frequent every day. APPL takes the vital role it plays in the community very seriously and seeks to provide a safe and family-friendly library experience.

 
The Autauga Prattville Public Library respects the privacy of this family and wishes for anyone with a concern about inappropriate material in the library to feel safe reporting it to library personnel. In order to protect the privacy of the child and family impacted by this incident, and to avoid discouraging concerned parents from bringing similar reports of inappropriate material in the future, the names of the child, parents, and school involved will not be disclosed.

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