Arkansas Librarian Fired After Speaking Out Against Republican Ban on LGBTQ Books Fires Back with Lawsuit: 'I Refuse to Let These Actions Go Unchallenged'

An Arkansas librarian who was allegedly fired after speaking out against Republican-led bans on LGBTQ+ books has fired back with a lawsuit.

Patty Hector, former director of Arkansas' Saline County Library, filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was wrongfully fired for defending the freedom to read after speaking out against GOP-led efforts to ban books with LGBTQ+ and racial themes.

"I could not stay silent as calls for censorship targeted marginalized communities and undermined our library's mission," Hector said in a statement. "Losing my job was devastating, but I refuse to let these actions go unchallenged."

The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Arkansas Monday, names Saline County Judge Matt Brumley and the county itself as defendants. It challenges an ordinance passed by the Saline County Quorum Court, which shifted the power to fire library employees from the Library Board to the county judge.

The lawsuit argues this move was a violation of First Amendment rights and designed specifically to oust Hector after she opposed efforts to restrict access to certain books.

Hector, a veteran librarian, first came under fire in early 2023 when local groups, including the Saline County Republican Women, began advocating for the removal or relocation of books addressing LGBTQ+ issues and race.

Despite mounting pressure, the Library Board stood by Hector. But in August 2023, the Quorum Court passed the ordinance transferring hiring and firing authority to Brumley. Two months later, he terminated Hector.

"Standing up against censorship should never cost someone their job," John Williams, legal director of the ACLU of Arkansas, said. "Ms. Hector was fired for defending the right to read freely and for refusing to let political pressure dictate the operation of a public library. Retaliation against her for speaking out on these critical issues is not only unconstitutional — it's an attack on the principles of free expression and access to information that public libraries stand for."

Hector's lawsuit is part of a broader battle over book bans in the U.S. In recent years, book censorship has surged, driven by Republican-led efforts to restrict access to literature that addresses race, gender identity, and sexuality.

Between July 2023 and June 2024, PEN America's Index of School Book Bans documented 10,046 book bans across 29 states and 220 public school districts. Since July 2021, that number has risen to 15,940 bans in 43 states and 415 districts.

Arkansas passed a law in 2023 that makes it easier to challenge books in public and school libraries that "are not subject matter or age appropriate for children." However, a federal judge later blocked the measure.

In addition to seeking a declaratory judgment that her termination was unconstitutional, Hector's lawsuit demands damages for emotional distress and lost wages. Hector has reportedly had to go to therapy to cope with the ordeal, according to court filings,