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looking at the board Alabama Public libraries voted Thursday to remove books that discuss being transgender from the teen and children’s sections of all public libraries in the state.
Alabama’s action is the latest in a national battle over library content that often focuses on titles with LGBTQ+ themes and characters. The Alabama Public Library Service Board of Directors has approved a rule that materials discussing “transgender processes, gender ideology or the concept of more than two biological sexes” are inappropriate for library sections for children and youth. Books should be placed in adult sections.
board Chairman John Wahl, who is also chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, called the action “a big step toward putting parents in control of their children’s exposure.”
“We want to put Alabama families in charge. We want them to decide what’s best for their families,” Wahl said.
The state board’s vote came after a heated public hearing last month. Opponents on Thursday called it censorship and an attempt to erase trans people.
This decision affects more than 200 local libraries and will take effect in 2026, after the required publication period. This language is being added to existing rules that youth sections must be free of material that is “sexually explicit or other material deemed inappropriate.” The new language also includes the instruction that “all materials containing such material should be taken out of the library’s collection or transferred to an adult section.”
McReynolds held a sign outside the building stating that “positive representation” is not the same as sexually explicit material. He said the vote was taking place on Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day that focuses on trans people who have lost their lives due to violence.
Reynolds, who is transgender, said books are the best way for people to learn about people who are different from them.
Reynolds said, “I hope other kids can approach my daughter with curiosity and compassion. And if they don’t, there’s a lot more room for anger, fear and frustration.”
The scope of the new rule is not completely clear. During a public hearing, some supporters objected to books that teach children about pronouns or describe a child’s experience of being transgender. It’s less clear whether any books featuring transgender characters will be removed.
“The majority of Alabamans did not demand this latest attack on the library lgbtq “Because it’s their children and the children of friends and relatives, you are being attacked with this misguided proposal in front of you,” Jim Vickery told the board during a public comment period.
Board member Amy Minton said the majority of comments she received during the public comment period were in favor of the change.
“This is what the majority of Alabamans want,” Minton said.
Supporters of the proposal said that parents who want their children to read books could get them from other locations, including adult sections of libraries.
Angie Hayden, co-founder of Read Freely Alabama, said she worries the aim is to remove books entirely. He said state regulations do not allow children to purchase books even if the state deems the book inappropriate for children.
“For a long time they’ve been banning these books, slowly removing these books from your public libraries,” Hayden said.
The board also tightened restrictions on youth library cards, stating that minors with “standard library cards” could not access books in the adult collection. Library An All-Access Card can be issued only with written permission of the parent.
There was also sharp disagreement among board members over restoring funding to the Fairhope Public Library. The board had taken the step of stopping funding due to some titles in the juvenile category.
Board members rejected the proposal to immediately restore funding. Wahl said he wanted to wait until he could review Fairhope’s actions.
“John, are you becoming Alabama’s Censor-in-Chief?” Board member Ronald A. Snyder asked Wahl.
Snyder said the state board is acting like a “censorship board” when they “second guess” the decisions of professional librarians and local library boards.
“You can call it second guessing or you can call it accountability,” Wahl replied.