The majority of those on the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board believe that the Fairhope Public Library still hasn’t done enough to protect minors from sexually explicit materials in their facility.
APLS voted to continue withholding state funding from the Fairhope Public Library by a 3-2 vote Thursday, citing the library’s continued refusal to remove sexually explicit materials from children’s sections, despite repeated warnings and opportunities to correct the issue.
“This decision was unavoidable,” said APLS Board Chairman John Wahl. “Taxpayer dollars should never be used to expose children to graphic sexual content. When a public library knowingly keeps explicit material in sections intended for minors, it violates the trust of parents and the responsibility entrusted to it by the people of Alabama.”
The vote came after representatives from the Fairhope Public Library formally requested that state funding be reinstated. During the meeting, excerpts from several of the books in question were presented to the Board.
One of the books that came up is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky, which was still placed in the teen section of the library.
Wahl read an excerpt from the book and was asked to issue a trigger warning before reading the more explicit parts of the book.
Wahl admitted he didn’t want to read it, but said it was important to show how the library still wasn’t in compliance with the rules.
“Please. Dave. No,” Wahl read. “But the boy just talked soft to her about how good she looked and things like that, and she grabbed his penis with her hands and started moving it … After a few minutes, the boy pushed the girl’s head down, and she started to kiss his penis.”
This was one of several books that were seen as an issue. Parents who reviewed the books raised serious concerns that the material was not merely suggestive or educational in nature, but clearly intended for mature audiences, yet remained accessible to children browsing youth and children’s areas.
“This is not about banning books or suppressing ideas,” Wahl argued. “Adults are free to read what they choose. The issue is age-appropriateness. Children’s sections exist for a reason. Placing explicit sexual material—combined with pervasive profanity—in those spaces is indefensible.”
He also noted that the Fairhope Public Library was given ample opportunity to resolve the matter by simply relocating the materials to appropriate adult sections, a standard practice followed by libraries across the state. He believes the library’s refusal to do so left the Board with no alternative.
“The Alabama Public Library Service Board has a duty to ensure state funding is used responsibly,” Wahl said. “Continuing to fund a library that refuses to protect children from explicit content would amount to state endorsement of that behavior. Today’s action sends a clear message: safeguarding children is not optional, and this Board will stand up for Alabama families.”
Wahl reaffirmed his support for libraries that respect parents, follow common-sense standards, and uphold their responsibility to minors.
“This situation can be corrected immediately,” he said. “Move adult material out of children’s sections, restore appropriate safeguards, and funding can be restored. The goal here is accountability, protection of children, and restoring public confidence—not punishment.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
