Leadership matters — and nowhere is that more evident than in the recent events surrounding the Alabama’s Public Library System. In an age when too many public institutions have bowed the knee to radical woke agendas, Alabama is blessed to have leaders like John Wahl who are willing to stand in the gap to protect our children and our values.
As Chairman of the APLS Board, John Wahl has been a bold and principled advocate for families, for common sense, and the future of Alabama’s libraries.
As an avid reader and the mother of children who are both well-read and published authors, libraries have always been important to me. I know how valuable they are to communities — especially for children, students, and seniors who rely on them for education and new opportunities.
That’s why it’s so important that Alabama’s libraries stay focused on serving the people of our state, not on pushing a divisive social agenda.
Recent APLS code changes made sure that the people of Alabama were put first by requiring that all sexually explicit and inappropriate books be moved out of library youth sections. This was not a decision the board made lightly. It followed a 90-day public comment period, which included a six-hour public hearing and 6,475 letters received from across the state.
The overwhelming majority of those who commented supported the code changes or wanted them stronger in protecting children.
After debate and consideration of all the facts, the APLS Board rejected the openly Marxist agenda promoted by the American Library Association and stood with the people of Alabama in protecting our children. This victory for common sense would not have been possible without the leadership and groundwork laid by Chairman Wahl.
The current APLS Board has always focused on ensuring that all families feel welcome in our libraries, and that libraries remain a useful and successful part of our communities.
That’s why sustainable funding has been another top priority for APLS. No matter how passionate a librarian may be or how valuable the programs, libraries simply cannot thrive without the resources they need.
Alabama libraries are fortunate to have Chairman Wahl working to secure funding for them. As a member of both the APLS Board and the Etowah County library board, I believe this critical issue has been overlooked by many in the press and within library systems.
Last year, funding for Alabama libraries was cut after members of the State Legislature lost trust in the direction libraries were headed. Since the new code changes and John Wahl’s election as Chairman of the APLS Board, state library funding has stabilized.
This year’s education budget includes guaranteed replacement funding for critical grants in case Alabama libraries lose any federal support. No other state library board in the nation has achieved this level of financial security for its public libraries.
And the new changes at the APLS don’t stop at funding. We also listened closely to feedback from local libraries about how federal grants are awarded — and when we saw room for improvement, the APLS Board didn’t hesitate to act. That kind of openness and flexibility is rare in government, and it’s another reason Chairman Wahl’s leadership should be appreciated by local libraries.
Transparency has also seen remarkable improvement in recent months. From live streaming board meetings, to publishing minutes online, to posting agendas in advance — the APLS Board is working to build a culture of trust that allows Alabamians to engage with their library system like never before.
Those who attempt to sow confusion or discord only hurt our local libraries further. Some have tried to suggest that the term “sexually explicit” is vague or open to interpretation — and therefore, sexually explicit books should remain in youth sections.
That argument completely falls apart when you consider the clear legal definition provided to all Alabama libraries following the recent code changes. This definition, drawn directly from 18 U.S.C. § 2256 and Alabama Code § 13A-12-200.1, outlines the following as sexually explicit content:
- Sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex;
- Sexual excitement;
- Nudity;
- Bestiality;
- Masturbation;
- Sadistic or masochistic abuse; or
- Lascivious exhibition of the anus, genital or pubic area of any person; and predominantly appeals to the prurient interest of minors 17 years and younger.
The standard is clear. Alabama libraries have well-defined guidelines on how to comply with state code and protect the most innocent members of our communities. It’s time to move forward together, putting the people of Alabama first and upholding the values we were appointed to represent.
Far-left groups have desperately tried to distort the facts, falsely accusing Chairman Wahl and the entire Board of “attacking” libraries. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, far from hurting libraries, the new policies and code changes have actually helped restore public confidence.
They’ve made more families feel welcome, strengthened open debate on important issues, and opened the door to even greater funding opportunities by demonstrating that Alabama libraries are committed to serving all residents responsibly.
Many people know John Wahl as a nationally recognized lepidopterist (butterfly farmer) or as the current Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Republican National Committee for the Southern Region. But it’s his work as Chairman of the APLS that I believe deserves special recognition.
Thanks to his national relationships, tireless work ethic, and genuine love for Alabama, our libraries are stronger, better protected, and better funded. Under his leadership, the APLS Board has worked to preserve the true mission of public libraries: to serve all citizens — especially children — in a safe, welcoming environment, free from inappropriate and sexually explicit content.
