Llano library advocate honored at American Short Fiction gala
Leila Green Little (center) was honored May 2, 2025, with the Community Star Award from American Short Fiction for her efforts in an ongoing lawsuit against the Llano County Library System for alleged book banning. She is pictured with attorney Katherine Chiarello (left) and fellow plaintiff Diane Moster. Courtesy photo
Llano resident and library advocate Leila Green Little received the Community Star Award from American Short Fiction during the organization’s annual gala May 2 in Austin. Little is leading the charge in an ongoing lawsuit against Llano County for alleged book banning within the library system.
Little was recognized for her efforts alongside other awardees during the event, authors Joy Williams, Carrie R. Moore, and Emily Hunt Kivel.
American Short Fiction is an Austin-based nonprofit and nationally syndicated literary publication founded in 1991 that focuses on emerging writers and those who advance the literary arts.
“Anytime I get any attention or recognition for (the lawsuit) it’s nice because it brings more attention to the issue,” Little told DailyTrib.com after receiving her award. “There are people all over Texas and even in Llano who still don’t know what’s going on.”
Little and a group of Llano County residents filed the civil suit in April 2022, alleging elected officials and members of the county’s Library Advisory Board worked together to remove books from libraries without following any sort of due process. Many of the books focused on racial and LGBTQ+ issues. The case is ongoing, with the last update in September 2024 concerning the return of 17 removed books to library shelves.
2 thoughts on “Llano library advocate honored at American Short Fiction gala”
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Her case had a setback (shortly after this story ran) in the full 5th circuit court on May 23, 2025. Looks like it will ultimately be decided at the US Supreme Court. She and the other library patrons will be making history one way or another.
The award is from a Fiction group, so what did she write for this award? The word ban under the photo is misleading. Removing a book from the library is not banning. I understood the protocol in place was not entirely followed during the removal but still the word ban is inaccurate since the book(s) is/are still available elsewhere. I support gauging the appropriateness of material that is available in a public place where children are present.