Credit: DisneyThe Huntsville Library System has implemented a controversial policy that moves PG-rated films, including beloved Disney classics such as Moana, Frozen, and Coco, to the Young Adult section of its libraries. The change is part of a new tiered card system that restricts access to certain materials based on a user’s library card level.
Under this system, only holders of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cards can access movies in the Young Adult section, and these cards are available only to those aged 18 or younger with parental permission. Adult cards, which grant full access, are unavailable until a person turns 18. Tier 1 cards, the default for children, limit access to the most restricted content.
Related: Disney Reportedly Implements Strict Censorship Effective Immediately
Guidelines Rooted in Controversy
The decision stems from new guidelines imposed by the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS), which have sparked widespread debate. The APLS claims the changes are intended to shield children from sexually explicit material, warning that libraries that do not comply risk losing state funding.
Critics of the guidelines argue they reflect a growing trend of censorship fueled by political pressure. Advocacy groups and librarians have expressed concern over what they see as a veiled attempt to control access to information and impose ideologically driven standards on public resources.
Impact on Beloved Disney Films
The inclusion of PG-rated Disney movies under restricted access has shocked many families who frequent the library. Titles like Coco, which celebrates Mexican heritage and family connections, or Moana, which highlights Polynesian culture and bravery, are now subject to limitations typically reserved for more mature content.
For parents, the changes introduce an additional layer of bureaucracy. Under the new rules, anyone under 18 requires parental permission to upgrade to a higher-tier card that grants access to these films, a process that some find unnecessarily burdensome for family-friendly material.
The policy change has reignited discussions about the role of libraries in fostering access to information and culture. Supporters of the APLS guidelines argue that they reflect a necessary step in ensuring age-appropriate access, particularly in light of increasing concerns about content in media.
Opponents, however, view the move as part of a broader campaign to politicize public institutions. They argue that the guidelines cast too wide a net, restricting content that is not inherently harmful and undermining the library’s role as a space for education and exploration.