OZARK, Ala. (WDHN) — After a brief closure of four days, the Ozark Dale County library has reopened with a strengthened policy for patrons in the library.
This comes after there was a dark cloud of controversy over Ozark for about a month when Ozark mayor Mark Blankenship posted on social media calling for LGBTQ+-themed books and sexually explicit materials to be moved out of the young adult section or else the city would defund the library.
It caused a split in Ozark and Dale County and a large outcry from residents on both sides of the issue sounding off at county, city, and library board meetings.
But with the new changes in effect, Mayor Blankenship believes the controversy is now over and the problem has been solved in the best possible way.
“We accomplished what we wanted to the library made the changes we feel puts the books in the appropriate hands of the kids and that’s what it was all about in the very beginning,” He said.
Over the last four days, the library had 10 of their employees and 10 volunteers pull 1600 young adult books off the shelf to sticker them with the appropriate age and put up a beware sign for parents about the content that may be in those books.
“Everything is done there are maybe two carts that are being finished now,” Director Karen Speck said.
Other changes include an updated child attendance policy and restrictions on juvenile library cards.
An updated policy that the library board believes will help parents monitor their children better.
“I’m pretty sure they will be happy they can say what their child can check out,” Speck said.
“I think it was a great step to improve the system,” Mayor Blankenship said.
One of the final steps to end the library controversy was the city and county signing off on the funding after defunding threats.
The city approved its budget to fund the Ozark Dale County Library — an appropriation of over $100,000 and the county just approved its budget which will give the library $47,000.
Mayor Blankenship said he hopes the Ozark and Dale County residents can mesh back together after being at odds.
“I just hope we can keep continuing in a positive direction for Ozark,” He added.
