DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Dothan city commissioners voted 6-1 to approve nearly $976,000 in funding for the Dothan Houston County Library System for next year following a dispute over the content of some children’s books.
Commissioner Dave Stock cast the only “no” vote. Stock said the city’s budget is its only leverage over a library system it does not directly control.
“If they would revise their policies and procedures and get rid of these inappropriate children’s books, I’d be happy to vote in support of the library,” Stock said.
Wiregrass Daily News spoke with Chris Warren, director of the Dothan Houston County Library System, about Stock’s concerns and the library’s policies.
“We do not have pornography anywhere in the Library,” Warren said.
Warren said the library has safeguards in place concerning minors and access to different areas of the library.
“The Library has implemented strong safeguards, minors are limited to the children’s section unless accompanied by a parent or guardian,” Warren said.
According to Warren, that policy applies to anyone younger than 19.
Warren also said the library uses tiered cards for minors, and parental approval is already required before a child can borrow books from the adult collection.
Warren expressed his appreciation to the City of Dothan for its support. He said the city funding is equivalent to government funding the library no longer receives.
The library’s funding is now secure through 2028.
Warren also discussed the library’s “Library of Things” program, which began in 2019. The project-specific federal grant program allows patrons to access items beyond traditional books, including a pressure washer, leaf blower, tools and older games.
“The program does very well, we receive alot of positive comments,” Warren said.
“It is not funded by taxpayer dollars.”
Warren said he believes the Dothan Houston County Library System is one of the best libraries in Alabama.
