The Advocacy Partnership that Defeated Two Bad Alabama Bills
EveryLibrary is so proud to be part of this kind of advocacy partnership.
HB4 and SB6, two severe anti-library bills in the nation, are dead.
The 2025 legislative session ended recently without them becoming law. HB4, the so-called “Jail the Librarians Act,” never made it out of committee.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD
Click to share this on Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, and Linkedin
SB6, a bill that would have further politicized library boards, passed its committee but never made it to the Senate floor.
This did not happen by accident.
It was the result of coordinated, strategic, and courageous work by people who care deeply about Alabama’s libraries and librarians.
Your donations power the movement for American libraries.
Please consider a $10 donation today.
The credit for this victory belongs to Read Freely Alabama (RFA), a grassroots organization that has led the charge to defend libraries, librarians, and the freedom to read across the state since 2023. RFA's mobilization of thousands of everyday Alabamians, fearless messaging, and unrelenting advocacy have reshaped the conversation in Montgomery and across the state.
As Jessica Hayes, a founding member of and current Director of Library Advocacy for Read Freely Alabama, told EveryLibary's Executive Director, John Chrastka:
“EveryLibrary’s support has been pivotal in helping Alabamians mobilize to swiftly kill these anti-library bills during the past two legislative sessions. Now, our state’s devoted and beleaguered librarians won’t have to worry about facing jail time and hefty fines just for performing their profession’s most fundamental tasks. Likewise, our communities won’t have to worry about their local library board becoming a replica of the dysfunction we’ve seen in places like Prattville.
When brave librarians in Prattville stood up for what’s right and lost their jobs, EveryLibrary was there for us. They were there for Fairhope, where the outcome, thankfully, has so far been more positive. And now, at the close of the 2025 session, we’ve kept SB6 from reaching the Senate floor, and HB4 died in committee.
"EveryLibrary supported our tactics and strategy, amplified our messaging and connected us to resources unavailable to grassroots groups like ours, providing necessary insight at key moments. Their decision to support and mentor us helped Read Freely Alabama successfully lead the fight against this nationally coordinated attack on our libraries and the freedom to read.”
EveryLibrary is so proud to be part of that kind of advocacy partnership.
EveryLibrary stands behind frontline advocates and professional organizations, helping them succeed in their states and communities. But we know this fight isn’t over. The current Alabama Public Library Service Board remains a threat. New legislation is being drafted for 2026. But the people of Alabama have spoken, and they’ll keep speaking.
We want to be ready to stand with them again. If you believe in the right to read, the freedom to learn, and the power of public institutions to serve everyone, please support our work today. Your donations help EveryLibrary show up where it matters when it matters most.