Alabama Public Library Service Board member John Wahl released a statement thanking Alabama Governor Kay Ivey for her efforts to protect children from sexually explicit content and her recommendations to the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board at Thursday’s APLS Board meeting.
Governor Ivey’s proposed amendments moved forward after a motion from Wahl and a unanimous vote in favor by the APLS Board. The rule changes will still require a final vote after an upcoming mandatory public comment period, but if passed, will address policies related to the physical location and relocation of sexually explicit material in order for public libraries to receive state funds.
“I am thankful for Kay Ivey’s work to address the location of sexually explicit books in our libraries, as well as her recommendations to the APLS board,” Wahl said. “Governor Ivey has been a strong advocate for protecting Alabama families and finding common sense solutions that respect Alabama taxpayers. Her recommended changes to the APLS code are a great step in addressing the issues we are facing in the youth sections of Alabama libraries, while also helping to make sure parents are in control of what their children are exposed to. Taxpayer money should never be used to push a Marxist agenda from the American Library Association, and Alabama families should never have to worry about their children accidentally stumbling across sexually explicit books in the youth section. I hope we can all agree that libraries should be a safe place for our kids. I look forward to working with the Governor to make sure parents can trust their local libraries in every area and as soon as possible. It is time to be responsible with taxpayer money and protect our children from inappropriate content.”
Wahl is also presently the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.
Most observers had expected the APLS board to disaffiliate with the controversial American Library Association. Gov. Ivey, Wahl, and numerous citizen activists wanted to disaffiliate from the American Library Association. APLS Director Nancy Pack had seemed to acquiesce in a recent APLS-wide memorandum. The Board did not do that but instead postponed the decision to disaffiliate. This postponement gives the APLS time for a public comment period on the proposed change.
The libraries have come under fire from conservative groups for the introduction of sexually explicit books, including books on gender transitioning and LGBTQ+ topics in the children’s section. The libraries have also been charged with promoting Marxism to children.
Governor Ivey has sent a couple of letters to Pack demanding that the libraries do a better job of protecting children and parental rights.
Library defenders accuse the critics of advocating book burning and censorship. They argue that disaffiliation will lead to the libraries losing training and other resources that the national association provides.
The APLS Board will take up the issue of disaffiliating when it meets in March.
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