Alabama Public Library Service

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) is an agency of the State of Alabama created in 1959 specifically to take advantage of federal funding made available in the Library Services Act of 1956, and generally to promote the development and operation of public libraries across the state. It administers state and appropriations to libraries in Alabama. APLS provides professional resources, training, advocacy, administrative support, and some funding to public libraries, and also operates the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled. Its offices are located at 6030 Monticello Drive in Montgomery.

Early efforts of the Alabama Public Library Service and its immediate predecessor included the establishment of regional library systems, such as the Coosa Valley Regional Library for Shelby and St Clair County.

ALPS federal appropriations were boosted by the Library Services and Technology Act of 1996. In the 2000s the APLS was awarded nearly $2 million in grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, "to promote the sustainability of public access computing in rural libraries."

Alabama Republican Party chair John Wahl was appointed the the APLS executive board in 2022. In 2023, long-time board member and former Jefferson County Republican Party chair Virginia Doyle criticized the threats made against the service's funding. She was removed the same day by Governor Ivey.

The education fund budget passed during the 2024 Alabama legislative session cut appropriations to the library service by 8.5% and included language making the approved funds contingent on the APLS adopting changes to its code proposed by Ivey. The APLS board also voted under pressure to disaffiliate from the American Library Association.

Meanwhile, in July 2024, the Clay City Council voted to withdraw its Clay Public Library from the Alabama Public Library Service.

In 2025 the agency held public hearings on a proposed rule stating that, "any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth."

References

  • White, Shannon Diane (1997) The Development of the Statewide Tax-Supported Library System in Alabama, 1901–1974. University of South Carolina
  • Holmes, Jacob (November 22, 2023) "Ivey removes APLS board member who criticized threats against agency’s budget." Alabama Political Reporter
  • Holmes, Jacob (April 17, 2024) "House passes 18 percent cut to state library operations budget." Alabama Political Reporter
  • Basinger, Chris (July 27, 2024) "Clay City Council pulls library out of APLS amid multiple controversies." Trussville Tribune
  • Holmes, Jacob (September 20, 2024) "ALGOP Chair Wahl voted new chair of Alabama Public Library Service board." Alabama Political Reporter
  • Cason, Mike (October 21, 2025) "Alabama library board’s transgender book hearing ends in heated debate: Protecting kids or politically motivated?" AL.com
Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Alabama_Public_Library_Service&oldid=240700"