Read Freely Alabama teamed up with PEN America and several LGBTQ groups to oppose the Alabama Public Library Service's (APLS) recent change to the administrative code.
The change classifies gender ideology as inappropriate for children and youth collections in libraries that receive state funding. It restricts materials promoting transgender procedures from being placed in youth sections. It strengthens youth library card requirements, allowing parents to opt in if they want their children to have access to those materials.
The APLS board voted for the changes after hearing from the public during a comment period and public hearing.
APLS chairman John Wahl said the actions align with national standards.
"We are proud to join national leaders in reaffirming the truth that biology matters," Wahl stated. "Alabama is sending a clear message that we will protect children, defend parental rights, and preserve the integrity of women's spaces. This code change reflects the direction that millions of Americans want to see—common sense, grounded in science, and rooted in the values that strengthen our families and our future."
However, Read Freely Alabama, Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition, PEN America, EveryLibrary, Authors Against Book Bans, National Coalition Against Censorship, American Booksellers for Free Expression and PFLAG National released joint statements against the decision.
"The new 'gender ideology' amendment highlights the APLS Board's continued pattern of disregard for the First Amendment and parental rights, and is a deliberate attempt to target Alabamians they do not think should exist in the public sphere," stated Read Freely Alabama's senior leadership. "Read Freely Alabama remains committed to fighting this unconstitutional amendment."
PEN America, a national nonprofit that has received nearly $6 million from George Soros' Open Society Foundations, called the move an "attack."
"This code change is an attack on young people's First Amendment rights," said PEN America's Freedom to Read senior program manager Sabrina Baeta. "By adopting this code change, the APLS Board is demonstrating complete indifference to the very purpose of libraries: free inquiry. Young people, including trans youth, should have access to books that represent themselves and the world around them. Reclassifying books for young people to adult sections ultimately leaves young readers empty-handed without access to critical stories, histories, and representations."
PEN America's statement said the APLS "failed to account for the financial and labor burden on libraries who must reorganize their collections in order to accommodate this policy."
According to the Open Society Foundations website, PEN America has received $5,974,290 from the foundation since 2016.
The statement included a quote from Tuscaloosa United Church of Christ pastor Daniel Vanek saying, "While the Apostle Paul warned against provoking children to anger or harm, he never advocated for hiding the reality of human diversity from them; true protection involves equipping children with understanding, not enforcing ignorance. Banning trans-affirming books is a response born of fear, whereas providing access to stories that reflect the full, beautiful diversity of God's creation is a faithful fulfillment of the command to love our neighbors by striving to understand them."
The statement accused the APLS of years of attacks on public libraries and stated the code changes are "ideologically-motivated." The statement did not explain that the initial code change in 2024 required libraries to issue library cards for minors, allowing parents to permit their children to check out materials from the library's adult section, where many books deemed "sexually explicit" or "inappropriate" are to be relocated. The APLS has not required the removal of these materials from the library.
While Wahl argues efforts safeguard biological reality, the Alabama Transgender Rights Coalition said the "code change ignores the lived realities of trans and gender-nonconforming youth."
"Alabama's libraries should be places of learning and discovery—not platforms for experimental ideas that undermine traditional family values," Wahl added. "This amendment ensures our libraries remain safe, educational, and welcoming places for all Alabama families."
The APLS code 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.
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