By LJ Staff

Planned Parenthood (PP) of Central Texas has ended its relationship with the Waco-McLennan County Library System following a lawsuit filed by three anti-abortion activists who claim they were barred from attending a program at PP's Audre Rapoport Library. Donna Jernigan, Gloria Orozco, and Camile Hinojosa say they were blocked last October from entering PP's facility, which had signed a memorandum of agreement with the city library system earlier in 2002. They have filed a lawsuit charging that PP violated their rights to free speech and equal access. The suit also hopes to force PP from barring the public from its meetings. PP asserts that the meeting in question was private and that the three were barred for security reasons.

The deal between the library and PP allowed the latter to use the library's cataloging system, while the library had access to PP's own stock of videos, pamphlets, books, and other materials. Patrons could also receive library materials at PP's facility via interlibrary loan. Interim Library Director Jackie Dodson told LJ the library charged PP for its cataloging services. She also said, by severing ties with the library, PP can close its doors to whomever it wants, as it no longer is a public facility. The library is not included in the lawsuit.