MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Public Library Service's (APLS) executive board approved changes to classify gender ideology as inappropriate for children and youth collections in libraries across the state. The board also delayed a vote on the fate of funding for the Fairhope Public Library.
Administrative Code Changes
The administrative code changes, which will be added to guidelines prohibiting sexually explicit materials in juvenile sections of public libraries, state that "Under this rule, any materials regarding transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth."
APLS chairman John Wahl said the edits were made to proposed changes after the board heard from both sides of the issue. He said the people of Alabama made it clear that they supported a code change.
"So, the idea behind this is sexuality is a deeply personal subject," Wahl said. "Parents have wide ranges in how they want to address these subjects with their children and the goal of the APLS board is to put parents back in the driver's seat and let them make the decision of whether their children, what their children have access to."
Wahl said misinformation has spread about the APLS board's goal and about those who want to strengthen guidelines to protect children.
"We don't want to ban a book," he said. "We're not taking books out of the library. We're saying, 'Let's move the content out of youth sections, move it to the adult section where parents can make the decision of whether their children do or do not have access."
The edits also include language regarding tiered library cards, clarifying that libraries must issue standard library cards to minors under 18 as restricted or a non-restricted minor card to those whose parents provide written consent to do so. Non-restricted minor cards allow juveniles under 18 to access the adult collections.
The APLS held a public hearing ahead of the vote. No one spoke in support of the code change. Those opposing the code change accused the board of politicization and urged members to vote against the measure to protect constitutional rights.
APLS Board members Ronald Snider and Angelia Stokes were the only "no" votes on the matter.
The changes will be submitted to the Alabama Legislative Services Agency and must be published for 45 to 90 days before being forwarded to the Legislative Council. The changes could be in place as early as Spring 2026.
New APLS Executive Director
The APLS board also voted on moving Kelyn Ralya from interim director to executive director. Ralya has been serving in the position since the firing of former director Nancy Pack. Again, Snider and Stokes were the only "no" votes. The measure passed.
Board member Amy Minton said APLS is considering ways to provide clearer guidance to avoid confusion about the new guidelines. The board unanimously approved a new "chief of staff" position, which Minton said could help ensure libraries receive information they need to meet deadlines and remain in compliance. She said the funding for the position is already in place and that the APLS may consider an outside candidate.
Fairhope Public Library
During the public hearing, Autumn Zellner spoke on behalf of the Fairhope Library, bringing up the issue of the library's funding being paused. Zellner said changes have been made to bring the library into compliance.
"It no longer seems to be about procedure," Zellner said. "It seems to be about censorship and punishment."
The board elected to delay a vote on the future of funding for the Fairhope Public Library.
Wahl said he needed more time to read a list of 10 challenged books that the Fairhope library board decided to keep in the teen section. He said he felt it was only fair to read every book after Fairhope Board of Trustees Chairman Randal Wright said she did not think the APLS board would actually do so.
"I took that negative insinuation towards the board very seriously, and it's something that I decided I was committed to do," Wahl said. "So, I have all these books, some of them audiobooks, so I can listen to them as I drive back very late at night from meetings all around the state. But I have not finished them, to be honest."
The delay in the vote will not affect fiscal year 2026 funds, as a decision for that period will not be made until after June 30, 2026.
The next APLS executive board meeting will be held on January 15.
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