Baldwin County libraries will not receive state funding after months of unrest involving “explicit” and “inappropriate” content in teen books.
In a meeting filled with crosstalk and tension, the Alabama Board of Public Library Services voted to end state funding for the Fairhope Public Library. The library keeps some marked books, including “The Handmaid’s Tale,” in the teen section instead of moving them to the adult section.
“You’re going to be called the censor of the state of Alabama,” board member Ron Snyder told John Wahl, who voted to withhold the funds.
At the board meeting, Wahl, who is also chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, read aloud passages from the book that he found problematic. Most passages deal with swearing and examples of consensual and non-consensual sex.
“The level of vulgarity worries me,” Wahl said. “This is not something I would recommend to young people.”
At issue is about $22,000 in state funding. Since the showdown began, the library has raised more than $100,000 in community donations.
Fairhope librarians must move the following “sexually explicit” books to the adult section to receive state funding:
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Beyond Magenta by Susan Cooklin
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“Crank” by Alan Hopkins
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“Do” by Hannah Wetton
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“Same” by Alan Hopkins
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“Lighter Than My Shadow” by Katie Green
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“Shine” by Lauren McLauren
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For Sale by Patricia McCormick
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“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood
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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
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“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
Most of these books have been on banned books lists for years, including lists created by conservative groups like Clean Alabama and Liberty Moms.
Val asked the board several times why it chose to place these books on the teen bookshelf.
Fairhope Library Board President Randal Wright and Library Director Robert Gourlay said the board had read the books and deemed them appropriate for the teen section. Wright said moving books amounts to censorship.
“In the definition we gave, there was the word ‘lascivious,'” Wright said. “I don’t think these books are explicit because it would arouse someone’s sexual desire. It’s just making some statement and talking about it overall. There’s no reason for these books to make us feel like they should be moved.”
Wright explained that parents can choose a library card to prevent children under 13 from accessing books in the teen section. The teen area is also on a different floor than the children’s area.
Snyder said he believes the books’ overall content is aimed at the right audience. He told Val that if he believed teenagers hadn’t heard these words, “then you’re not in the reality that I’m experiencing.”
Wahl said some books have literary merit, but he doesn’t want children to read them before their parents explain the content.
“Parents make these decisions,” Wright said. “If you as a parent don’t like the book, then your kids won’t read it. But you can’t keep this book away from my kids. It’s not your job to make that decision.”
This is the first time the State Library Board has refused funding based on book placement. In 2024, the committee decided to update state regulations to force libraries to move books “unsuitable” for children to the adult section.
The board also discussed a new code change that expands inappropriate content. This would include any books that positively portray trans characters. Library Director Kelyn Ralya expects the change to take effect on February 14.
No new decision was made on the new chief of staff position because the approval process must go through the Alabama State Personnel Commission.
The next APLS meeting will be held on March 19th.
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