Alabama Public Library Service Announces Proposed Rule Changes On State Administrative Code for Public Libraries
Proposed Rule Changes Pertain to Public Library Sections for Minors and Sexual Content
Reported by Mike Hobson
September 6, 2025
On Friday, September 5, 1819 News reported on recent proposed rule changes being considered by the Alabama Public Library Service. Selections of that report follow:
“The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) announced on Thursday the opening of a public comment period for a proposed code amendment addressing material containing gender ideology in Alabama’s libraries.
The code change follows a vote by the APLS Board at its July meeting to approve moving forward with amending state code.
The proposed amendment came in response to requests from concerned parents regarding books containing positive depictions of transgender procedures aimed at children. The change seeks to strengthen existing guidelines by making clear that library sections designated for minors under the age of 18 must remain free from sexual topics deemed inappropriate for children and youth.
The new language specifically states: “Under this section, any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth.”
If adopted, this language will be incorporated into state code and will require that books containing such content be relocated to an adult section, where parents can decide whether their children should have access. The comment period will remain open until October 14. After reviewing all input, the APLS Board will determine the final wording to be adopted.”
John Wahl, a professional butterfly farmer and political strategist, was re-elected as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for a third consecutive term recently. The vote took place during the party’s Winter Meeting, where Wahl ran unopposed, solidifying his position as a key figure in state and national Republican politics.
Wahl, 37, has led the Alabama GOP since 2021 and is also vice chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Southern Region. Under his leadership, the party has achieved significant victories, including gains in majority-minority districts and record-breaking fundraising efforts. He is presently serving as chairman of the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) board. He recently announced that he will step down from his ALGOP role to run for the office of Alabama Lt. Governor in 2026.
The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS), under the leadership of Wahl, is moving forward with its continued efforts to protect parental rights through a proposed code change amendment.
“The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) board’s priority has been listening to parents. For us, the priority is making sure that Alabama libraries represent the parents of our state. We’re going to make sure that we move forward, that we listen to the public, and that we stand for the people,” the APLC Chairman John Wahl said in a phone interview with 1819 News.
The new proposed code change follows a vote by the APLS Board at its July meeting. It would amend the state code to state specifically:
“Under this section, any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth.”
Wahl encouraged everyone to participate in the public comment process, saying, “whatever people’s perspective, left, right, center, wherever they’re coming from,” he said, “through hearing people’s thoughts on any subject that we can better represent the public.”
He explained, “What we have heard overwhelmingly from both sides is that controls should rest with parents on what their children are exposed to.”
While this rule would apply to libraries within the APLS system, it would not protect children from such books in school libraries or classrooms. “That accountability does not go into our school libraries. Those are independent, and I would encourage the state legislature and parents to be involved in that process because it’s incredibly important that we don’t assume that just because our local libraries are being cleaned up and we’re making sure they represent the people of Alabama, that does not necessarily go into our school systems.”
The board previously moved to remove sexually explicit books from children’s and youth sections to the adult sections of the library. May guidance issued said, “At its meeting on May 8, 2025, the APLS Executive Board approved the following definition of ‘sexually explicit’ for the purposes of APLS code and policy compliance. This definition is based on existing state and federal guidelines and is intended to serve as a clear and practical reference as you address this matter in your libraries. In order to comply with state code, please move all books with these ‘sexually explicit’ topics to the adult section of the library effective immediately, as they do not require a patron reconsideration form to be submitted or individual library board’s review.”
Written comments must be signed and include a full name and address. All comments must be received by the Alabama Public Library Service by 4:30 p.m. on October 14. A public hearing will be held at APLS on October 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the agency’s Montgomery office.
Sources:
https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/filing/68890519e0fad25dc8402fad/filing
