Supreme Court refuses to hear Little v. Llano County: ALA responds

WASHINGTON — The American Library Association released the following statement in response to the December 8th decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to decline to review the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals en banc decision in Little v. Llano County.

The American Library Association (ALA) expressed disappointment and concern following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lower court ruling from the Fifth Circuit to stand. This decision will significantly restrict the freedom to read in public libraries across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. ALA President Sam Helmick said, 

"By declining to review the Fifth Circuit’s decision, the Supreme Court has empowered state and local governments to limit what materials people can access in their libraries. As a result, millions of library users now face a diminished right to read and explore information free from government interference. The ruling threatens to transform government libraries into centers for indoctrination instead of protecting them as hubs of open inquiry. 

"The Fifth Circuit’s decision disregards the ethical principles of librarianship, which require that library collections be curated without favoring any political party, ideology, or viewpoint. Public libraries have historically served as inclusive institutions committed to offering a broad range of ideas and perspectives. Efforts to remove books based on ideological objections erode these principles and violate the constitutional rights of all community members."

In October, the ALA, Freedom to Read Foundation and, Texas Library Association submitted an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reaffirm public libraries as beacons of democracy and to safeguard library professionals’ standards requiring them to curate collections to meet their communities’ informational needs regardless of party, subject, or viewpoint.   

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. The ALA remains committed to defending the freedom to read and supporting librarians and library workers who uphold this essential democratic value. For more information, visit www.ala.org.