The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS), under the leadership of chairman John Wahl, is moving forward with its continued efforts to protect parental rights through a proposed code change amendment.
APLS announced earlier this week the opening of a public comment period for a proposed code change that would classify material containing gender ideology as inappropriate for children and youth sections of Alabama's libraries. Nothing about this rule would ban or prohibit books on these topics from being in the adult sections.
"The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) board's priority has been listening to parents. For us, the priority is making sure that Alabama libraries represent the parents of our state. We're going to make sure that we move forward, that we listen to the public, and that we stand for the people," Wahl said in a phone interview.
SEE: Alabama Public Library Service opens public comment period on gender ideology code change
The new proposed code change follows a vote by the APLS Board at its July meeting. It would amend the state code to state specifically:
“Under this section, any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth.”
Wahl encouraged everyone to participate in the public comment process, saying, "whatever people's perspective, left, right, center, wherever they're coming from," he said, "through hearing people's thoughts on any subject that we can better represent the public."
He explained, "What we have heard overwhelmingly from both sides is that controls should rest with parents on what their children are exposed to."
While this rule would apply to libraries within the APLS system, it would not protect children from such books in school libraries or classrooms. "That accountability does not go into our school libraries. Those are independent, and I would encourage the state legislature and parents to be involved in that process because it's incredibly important that we don't assume that just because our local libraries are being cleaned up and we're making sure they represent the people of Alabama, that does not necessarily go into our school systems."
Wahl said, "I think that it is incredibly important that the government start putting people first again. And it's been one of my priorities as chairman of the Library Board to make sure that we take the bureaucrats out of the picture, and we put the people first."
"This is the kind of leadership that we need to see across government, whether it's the State Library board, whether it's our federal representatives, or whether it's our state leaders. It's time that the government put people first again and return the power that belongs to the general public."
Wahl closed, explaining, "This is my heart. We need to see the government. Stop caring about political correctness. Stop listening to associations and special interest groups; Stop caring so much about the woke mob, and instead return control to the families, to the parents, and to the people. And if we can do that, the government can, and I hope and pray it will be better."
The board previously moved to remove sexually explicit books from children's and youth sections to the adult sections of the library. May guidance issued said, "At its meeting on May 8, 2025, the APLS Executive Board approved the following definition of 'sexually explicit' for the purposes of APLS code and policy compliance. This definition is based on existing state and federal guidelines and is intended to serve as a clear and practical reference as you address this matter in your libraries. In order to comply with state code, please move all books with these 'sexually explicit' topics to the adult section of the library effective immediately, as they do not require a patron reconsideration form to be submitted or individual library board's review."
Written comments must be signed and include a full name and address. All comments must be received by the Alabama Public Library Service by 4:30 p.m. on October 14. A public hearing will be held at APLS on October 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the agency's Montgomery office.
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