The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has reportedly done an about-face on its previous position to keep the state list of challenged books private.
For months, residents in counties and municipalities across the state have raised concerns over their library's content, specifically sexually explicit and LGBTQ+ material meant for minors.
Residents and lawmakers, including Gov. Kay Ivey, have petitioned the APLS board to address the issue in several ways. In September, the board unanimously agreed to a policy proposed by APLS board member and Alabama GOP chair John Wahl that would allow residents to submit books for review.
The board initially said the list of challenged books would only be available to library employees as a reference guide, not to the general public. After APLS made the form available online, several residents objected to making the list private.
As a result, several unnamed plaintiffs tapped Bryan Taylor, a current candidate for the position of Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, to appeal APLS to make the records public.
On Thursday, Taylor posted on Twitter that APLS Director Nancy Pack had capitulated and agreed to allow the list to be made public. An APLS board member confirmed the news with 1819 News.
Pleased to report that Dr. Nancy Pack of the AL Public Library Service has informed me they will produce their challenged book list in response to our Open Records Request, a welcome reversal of their earlier position in @aldotcom that it would not be made public. #alpolitics
— Bryan Taylor (@BryanTaylorAL) January 11, 2024
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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