Leaders of 13 conservative organizations have written a letter calling on states to sever ties with the American Library Association (ALA) due to its left-leaning turn under new leadership. The letter argues that the ALA is undermining constitutional rights and attacking the moral foundation of the country, particularly under its current leadership.
The association has faced criticism for its increasingly aggressive far-left activism, including its recommendation of sexually explicit books for teens and young adults. The American Accountability Foundation’s investigation revealed links between the ALA and philanthropist George Soros. Moreover, the ALA’s promotion of “Drag Queen Story Hour” and its hostility towards religious Americans are also mentioned in the letter.
The coalition of conservative leaders urges state policymakers to strip the ALA of taxpayer support and calls on Congress to ensure the association receives no federal support. Missouri has already cut ties with the ALA, with Montana following suit shortly after. Lawmakers in eight more states are reportedly preparing to sever their relationship with the association.
As an alternative, the World Library Association (WLA) has been launched, stating its commitment to fostering safe environments for librarians, promoting information literacy, and maintaining political neutrality. The WLA also pledges resources to support parents in legal battles defending their children in school libraries.