Librarian

Fired central Arkansas library director reflects on her termination

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

People across Saline County have spent almost five months trying to fire their library director. Last week, they finally succeeded.

Her name is Patty Hector. She came under fire after refusing point-blank to remove books from the library containing sex-ed and LGBTQ characters.

“This is where I draw the line,” she said. “You don't get to use your religion to deny rights to people.”

Fired central Arkansas library director reflects on her termination

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Patty Hector (right), director of the Saline County Library, listens during public comment on a resolution that would restrict children's access to books that contain "sexual content or imagery" at an April 17, 2023, meeting of the county quorum court. The court adopted the resolution and later approved an ordinance in August that led to Hector's firing in October. Leigh Espey (left) became interim library director.