Alabama Public Library Service

State

John Wahl: APLS Board must defend religious liberty in Alabama libraries

Chairman John Wahl urged the state board to take action after a federal lawsuit accused the Tuscaloosa Public Library of viewpoint discrimination.

March 17, 2026

Fairhope Library won’t move books after state aid loss

The library will soon be able to participate in the county courier service again after changes made Tuesday.

February 4, 2026

Fairhope Library loses courier service after APLS cuts state funding

County ends courier service to Fairhope library after aid compliance ruling, cutting interlibrary loans for Baldwin residents outside limits city.

January 27, 2026

APLS rules Fairhope Library in violation, won’t restore funding

The APLS board voted 3-2 to find the library noncompliant for including "sexually explicit" materials in youth sections.

January 16, 2026

Read Freely donates $40K to Fairhope library to replace state funds

The Fairhope library has already lost more than $20,000 in state aid.

December 2, 2025

APLS bans transgender depictions in youth books, delays Fairhope funding

The board also voted to require all libraries to offer youth library cards with restricted access.

November 21, 2025

APLS strips state funding from Fairhope Library amid ongoing review

More than half of Fairhope's annual state funding, about $22,000, was officially distributed to other libraries in Baldwin County after a missed deadline.

November 18, 2025

Most public comments support statewide ban on trans books, but critics call foul

The ALGOP, chaired by APLS chair John Wahl, solicited support for the code changes, sparking opponents to claim ethics concerns.

October 22, 2025

“Sold” author calls on APLS to restore Fairhope library funding, reject code changes

The author of one of America's most-banned books is calling on the Alabama Public Library Service to restore funding to the Fairhope Public Library.

October 6, 2025

Deadline approaching for public comments on APLS rule banning transgender books

The proposed Alabama Public Library Service code change would define materials "promoting gender ideology" as inappropriate for children and youth.

September 29, 2025