Governor Kay Ivey stands by her decision to enter the inflammatory fray of Alabama's ongoing library debate, a move that led to a sweeping series of rule changes regulating how libraries can purchase and display sexually explicit or obscene material meant for minors.
The controversy surrounding sexually explicit books targeted at minors in Alabama libraries grew like a weed after first springing up in Prattville in April 2023.
Since then, residents across the state have advocated either for the removal or retention of the purportedly obscene books in their local libraries. In addition to petitioning city councils and county commissions, Alabamians also began attending Alabama Public Library System (APLS) board meetings, asking to address the books or leave them be.
After months of back-and-forth, Ivey entered the discussion with a public letter to APLS director Nancy Pack in September 2023, demanding an answer on the APLS's posture towards addressing residents' concerns.
APLS is a state agency with board members appointed by the governor. The board is responsible for selecting the director.
Pack had a history of giving contradictory stances and statements regarding the state's relationship with the American Library Association (ALA), which directly supports the books in question and is run by a self-proclaimed "Marxist Lesbian."
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Despite Pack's defense of the ALA and its role in the state, Ivey responded with a series of policy change recommendations to prevent libraries from targeting children with sexually explicit or obscene materials. The policy recommendations dictate the criteria libraries must meet to receive state funding, with most changes involving placement and selection policies to avoid directly placing sexually explicit books in the children's section.
"I still lack confidence that our libraries are most effectively fulfilling their mission," Ivey said in October 2023. "In my previous letter to you, I described the core problem as the exposure of children and youth to inappropriate materials without adequate means of parental supervision. Unfortunately, your response does not persuade me that Alabama libraries have policies in place to strike the right balance in responding to this problem."
In the subsequent months, debate over Ivey's proposed rule changes heated up, leading to the governor removing an APLS board member after she criticized Ivey and lawmakers for attempting to intervene in the controversy.
After months of debate and public comment on Ivey's rules, the APLS board officially integrated the regulations into the Alabama code with minor amendments.
Ivey's involvement did not come without hefty criticism, both from some lawmakers and the public. Despite the backlash, Ivey told 1819 News she still believed intervening was the right thing to do.
"At the start of last September, I wrote a letter to the APLS director expressing concern after I began seeing news stories that our own libraries here in Alabama may have been wavering from their important mission of simply promoting literacy in our communities. As I mentioned in that letter, my initial reaction was increasing concern because Alabama libraries should be safe places for families and children to read, learn and explore. That is exactly why I took swift action. I believe this was the right thing to do, and I will always stand for what's right."
While lawmakers made several unsuccessful attempts to address the issue, Ivey's rule changes have already gone into effect, and libraries are having to adjust their collections to comply with new rules or risk their state funding.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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