Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Patty Hector, the former director of the Saline County Library, against Saline County Judge Matthew Brumley and Saline County. The lawsuit alleges that Hector was unlawfully fired in retaliation for her outspoken opposition to censorship efforts, a violation of her First Amendment rights.
The complaint also challenges the constitutionality of an ordinance passed by the Saline County Quorum Court that transferred authority to fire library personnel from the Library Board to the County Judge. The lawsuit argues that this ordinance unfairly singled out and targeted Ms. Hector for punishment, violating her constitutional rights.
“Standing up against censorship should never cost someone their job,” said John Williams, Legal Director of the ACLU of Arkansas. “Ms. Hector was fired for defending the right to read freely and for refusing to let political pressure dictate the operation of a public library. Retaliation against her for speaking out on these critical issues is not only unconstitutional — it’s an attack on the principles of free expression and access to information that public libraries stand for.”
Hector, a professional librarian with decades of experience, became a target of censorship advocates in early 2023, when calls to restrict library materials grew across Arkansas. As director, she adhered to professional standards for library operations and spoke out publicly against efforts to censor books, including a non-binding resolution passed by the Quorum Court to remove books from the children’s section.
Despite these pressures from members of the public and the Quorum Court, the Saline County Library Board supported Hector’s leadership and refused to fire her.
In response, the Quorum Court passed an ordinance in Aug. 2023 granting Judge Brumley the power to fire library employees. On Oct. 9, 2023, Judge Brumley exercised this authority to terminate Hector’s employment.
“I’ve spent my career fostering access to diverse perspectives and ensuring that public libraries are places where everyone feels seen and supported,” Hector said. “I could not stay silent as calls for censorship targeted marginalized communities and undermined our library’s mission. Losing my job was devastating, but I refuse to let these actions go unchallenged.”
The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that Hector’s termination violated her constitutional rights, as well as compensatory damages for emotional distress and lost wages.
“The Defendants’ actions against Ms. Hector send a chilling message to public servants who dare to stand up for their values and the rights of their communities,” Williams added. “This lawsuit is about holding government officials accountable and ensuring that no one is punished for defending the Constitution.”
A copy of the complaint can be found here: Hector v. Brumley
