National Free Speech Group Joins Criticism over Relocated Books at Hartland Library

National free speech group joins criticism over relocated books at Hartland library

The Hartland Cromaine District Library located in Hartland, Michigan | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan AdvancePEN America, a national organization focused on celebrating and defending creative expression, is joining the ACLU of Michigan in speaking out against the Hartland Cromaine District Library Board’s decision to move more than 100 books to its adult section without a review. During its meeting in May, trustees overseeing the Hartland library v…

Library board relocates 100+ books without review after counsel from anti-LGBTQ+ hate group

Free speech organizations are sounding the alarm over a recent decision by Comraine, Michigan’s District Library Board of Trustees to circumvent its own review process and move dozens of LGBTQ+ books from the children’s section to the adult section without first assessing them. In 2025, a group of 12 people requested the removal of over 200 books from the library, many of which reportedly had LGBTQ+ themes. Library Director Sarah Niedert reviewe…