Alabama’s public libraries are navigating some choppy waters, with recent headlines pointing to bigger questions about funding, leadership, and what belongs on the shelves.
Two developments this week—a shakeup at the state level and a funding cut for a local library—show just how tricky it’s become to balance community standards with taxpayer dollars.
Longtime executive director Nancy Pack is out of the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS), the agency that supports over 200 libraries statewide. After a closed-door meeting, the board voted to end her 12-year run, citing a need for fresh direction.
Pack’s tenure had been under scrutiny since 2023 when concerns from parents, lawmakers, and Gov. Kay Ivey started piling up about certain library books—especially ones dealing with race, gender, or LGBTQ topics.
Groups like Moms for Liberty and Clean Up Alabama argued these materials didn’t belong in public spaces, particularly for kids.
Pack tried to find a middle ground, even suggesting APLS drop its ties with the American Library Association to keep state funding flowing, but her efforts fell short.
Down in Fairhope, a small town known for its charm, the local library faces its own headache.
The APLS pulled its state funding after flagging books in the teen section as potentially out of step with new guidelines.
Exactly which titles sparked the decision isn’t public yet, but it’s left Fairhope’s library board in a bind—trying to meet state expectations while keeping services running.
Texas schools offer a glimpse of how these debates play out closer to home.
In Keller ISD, just up the road in Tarrant County, the school board has banned dozens of books since 2022—titles like Gender Queer: A Memoir, as reported by DX, and The Bluest Eye—after parents questioned their content.
It’s not a funding cut, but it’s the same push for oversight we’re seeing in Alabama. Meanwhile, Houston ISD made waves in 2023 by cutting librarian jobs at 28 schools and turning some libraries into disciplinary rooms.
In Fort Worth ISD, libraries briefly closed for an audit, which yanked over 100 books off shelves after similar complaints. These moves show how fast local control can shift when folks demand accountability for what kids read.
This isn’t just about books—it’s about who’s accountable for public resources. Libraries rely on tax dollars, and tensions flare when folks question what those dollars are buying.
Alabama’s not alone in wrestling with this. Across the country, libraries are becoming flashpoints in debates over content and control.
Taxpayers deserve a say in how their money is spent.