Proposed amendments and bills that could affect Alabama's Public Libraries have the Friends of the Fairhope Public Library encouraging patrons to write letters to Alabama lawmakers.

Randal Wright sits on the Fairhope Public Library board but is also a part of the Friends of the Fairhope Public Library. The library support group raises money for the library but also advocates for the library which is one reason for the upcoming letter-writing parties.

"The letter-writing campaign is to notify our elected officials of our feelings in support of the library," Wright said. "We've had tremendous noise made by both people who want things censored and changed. We desire to show that the majority of people want hand-off at the library."

Wright and other members of the Friends of the Fairhope Public Library will host three letter-writing parties with the first being held Thursday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon.

"The letters are to write to our legislators, the state senators even the governor and the Alabama Public Library Board to make them aware of our concerns about the changes that they want to make to the Administrative Code," Wright said.

State Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, sponsored SB10 passed in the Alabama Senate Wednesday, Feb. 14. The proposed bill would give governments that appoint members of library boards the power to fire library board members. The bill also outlines that board members shall serve a four-year term and can be removed at any time by a two-thirds vote of the appointing authority. In Fairhope, the city council approves the library board members.

Another action that is being watched carefully is an amendment to the Alabama Public Library Service's rule 520-2-2-0.03 titled Library Establishment, Policy and Service Requirements. The amendment adds additional requirements to the guidelines set for public libraries in Alabama to qualify for state aid. The additions include:

"To qualify for state aid, a public library board must approve written policies for the public library which cover the following: Physical location (and relocation) of sexually explicit or other material deems inappropriate for children or youth. Advance approval of materials recommended, displayed or otherwise actively promoted to children or youth."

"Exercising discretion in the location of sexually explicit material or other material deemed by the public library board to be inappropriate for children or youth does not constitute a denial of service on the basis of age. Taking age into account when recommending, displaying or otherwise actively promoting library materials does not constitute a denial of service on the basis of age."

"Any expenditure of public funds to the American Library Association must be approved by the governing board of the public library or public library system in an open, public meeting following advance public notice."

Along with providing letter-writing materials, address and stamps, the Friends of the Fairhope Public Library will also explain the proposed bills and Administrative Code changes and how, if passed, they will affect our local library and the public libraries across the state of Alabama.

"We want anybody who is interested in supporting the library to come learn more," Wright said. "We are going to talk about what the bills are and explain them to everyone. We'll have some sample letters as well."

Two of the three letter-writing parties have been scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursday, March 21 from 1-3 p.m. An evening event is planned but the date has not yet been chosen. For more information on the Friends of the Fairhope Public Library, events or the letter writing parties, visit the Friends of the Fairhope Public Library Facebook page. The letter-writing party is open to all Baldwin County residents.