Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) chairman John Wahl recently responded to negative statements made by APLS director Nancy Pack about Wahl, the legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey.

1819 News published two stories featuring statements made in a 2023 audio recording where Pack addressed local library directors. Pack openly criticized Ivey and the Alabama Legislature over actions taken to deal with citizens' concerns over sexually explicit or obscene material aimed at minors in public libraries. In the audio, she stated lawmakers were "not very intelligent about libraries or APLS's role" and said Ivey was "not so bad as the state legislators."

SEE: State library director Nancy Pack: Lawmakers' not very intelligent about libraries'; Ivey' not so bad as the state legislators'

The second story featured statements where she seemingly encouraged public library directors to file an ethics complaint against Wahl, who had yet to be elected board chairman.

In a Tuesday appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Wahl responded to Pack's comments, saying she appeared to be disconnected from the will of Alabamians when it came to removing potentially obscene material from libraries.

"You have an APLS board, appointed by the governor; their job is to represent the people of Alabama," Wahl said. "And I think they've done a very good job. I think they have heard the parents' concerns. We went in, I know, as I was working on the code changes to make sure that children were protected from sexually explicit material, that was our priority, and the board bought it [and] it passed. That sentiment, that commitment to the people, doesn't always get through to the bureaucrats."

"And I think this is a situation where perhaps there's too much insulation," he continued. "Perhaps the director, Nancy Pack, has not been hearing directly from the parents, so she just doesn't realize how important this issue is. Maybe she's been in government too long. I don't know. But I think there's a definite disconnect, not just between her and the board, but, more importantly, between her and the people of Alabama. And if you're disconnected with the people paying your salary, there's a problem."

Wahl said during the interview that he had not spoken with Pack since the stories ran but planned to later in the day. However, rumors have circulated that the board intended to vote on her removal at the previous board meeting, which was eventually canceled due to last week's winter storms.

"I hope this can be resolved one way or the other," Wahl concluded. "Because it is critical that government at every level, and especially for me as chairman of the APLS board, that we make sure that APLS, both the board and the office, listen to the people of Alabama and put them first. Because that's what good government does, and that's what we're going to make sure happens for the entire APLS department."

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.

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