In a recent move, Florida has joined a growing list of conservative-leaning states that have cut ties with the American Library Association (ALA), the nation's oldest library organization. The decision, made by the DeSantis administration, comes as the nonprofit organization finds itself embroiled in an ongoing culture war over the availability of certain books for students.

The agency responsible for Florida's public libraries issued a new rule in October, stating that no grant activities tied to the ALA or its affiliates will be allowed. This decision aligns Florida with other Republican states like Alabama, Wyoming, Missouri, and Texas, which have also severed affiliations with the ALA. These states have raised concerns about the group's choice of a new president, Emily Drabinski, who previously declared herself a "Marxist."

One of the major concerns raised by conservatives is the ALA's library bill of rights, which opposes restricting access to books based on age. This position clashes with the efforts of some states to limit the content available to students, particularly concerning topics related to sexuality, gender, and race.

Drabinski's election as president and the ALA's stance on book access have resulted in calls for impeachment and withdrawal of membership from several state library services. For instance, Alabama Public Library Service officials have called for Drabinski's impeachment and urged libraries to disregard the ALA's policies. The Texas State Library & Archives Commission took similar actions earlier this year.

Even at the federal level, there has been criticism of the ALA. Republican Senators Marco Rubio, Kevin Cramer, and Mike Braun have raised concerns and called for funding to be cut off due to allegations that the conservative Christian publisher Brave Books was denied library space for events.

Florida's decision to sever ties with the ALA has been implemented quietly. The Florida Department of State, headed by Secretary of State Cord Byrd, a former Republican state representative, announced the rule in October. The impact of this decision on local libraries remains unclear, as libraries pay for ALA memberships that provide access to benefits such as professional development discounts and educational resources.

The rule change has already led to some library systems in at least three Florida counties canceling their memberships with the ALA. The debate surrounding the decision has been divisive, with supporters claiming that the ALA promotes explicit content, while others argue that the organization has been helpful and professional.

This move by Florida adds to the broader efforts by Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans to reshape K-12 education in the state. Policies banning critical race theory in public schools and prohibiting certain classroom discussions on gender identity or sexual orientation have faced criticism. Furthermore, a controversial bill signed into law requires school libraries to remove books from circulation if they receive complaints about their content.

As Florida takes this action against the ALA, the impact on the state's library services and residents remains to be seen. The decision has implications for library staff attending conferences, seminars, and accessing discounted materials, jeopardizing the ability of Florida libraries to fully serve their communities.