Sine die! SB 26 is dead! Thank you for every phone call and email you sent to help us defeat this anti-library bill. 🥳
@readfreelyal.bsky.social
3️⃣ days left in the legislative session! SB 26 could still make its way to the floor-we can't let that happen! 🚨 Even if you've already emailed or called your representative, it's time to do it again! 🚨 ☎️ Call your representative here: www.readfreelyalabama.org/makethecall_...
Make the Call to Stop SB26 in the State House
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
‼️ We can’t let up now ‼️ There are only 6️⃣ days left in the legislative session! We cannot forget that SB 26 can still go on the calendar for a floor vote, even at the last minute. 🎬 ACTION ITEM: 📨 Email your representative and tell them NO on SB26! www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb26_2026
Make the Call to Stop SB26
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
Read this important story showing how Alabama’s librarians are navigating the confusing and financially burdensome administrative code changes enacted by the APLS board under John Wahl’s leadership.
Alabama Reflector@alabamareflector.com · 5mo agoVia @rchapoco.bsky.social: Alabama's state library board approved rules targeting books with sexually-explicit content and so-called "gender ideology" without issuing formal guidance. That's cost state libraries hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars figuring out how to comply. buff.ly/BJv1nl4
Exactly what we see happening here in Alabama: the bypassing of nuanced local governance in favor of a small group of ideological extremists. This astroturf censorship movement has created chaos for our libraries and unnecessary division in our communities. www.texasobserver.org/abilene-isd-...
How a High School Librarian in Abilene Fought Back Against Moms for Liberty
I entered this profession just as the storm clouds of the current book-banning push were starting to gather; now I’m in the middle of it.
texasobserver.org
‼️ 11 days left in the Alabama Legislative session ‼️ ⬇️ We have made it easy to get connected to your state Representative. ☎️Call your Rep today and urge them to vote NO on SB26 here: www.readfreelyalabama.org/makethecall_... 📨Send your email here: www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb26_2026
Make the Call to Stop SB26 in the State House
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
‼️Senator Elliott’s anti-library, pro-censorship SB26 is one step away from a full floor vote in the Alabama House of Representatives.‼️ SB26 is designed to make them susceptible to political pressure to censor materials. 📨 Email your representative HERE: www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb26_2026
When parents can set reading limits for their own child, fewer than 10% choose to restrict access. Most families trust guidance and conversation, not bans. You can guide your child without deciding for mine. Protect choice. Trust librarians. Keep libraries open. #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans
‼️SB26 is one step away from the House floor!‼️ By allowing library board members to be removed without cause, SB26 opens the door for political pressure to remove library materials. 🎬 Email your representative today and tell them NO on SB26: www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb26_2026
Stop SB26: Protect Independent Library Boards in Alabama
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
‼️SB26 is one step away from the House floor!‼️ By allowing library board members to be removed without cause, SB26 opens the door for political pressure to remove library materials. 🎬 Email your representative today and tell them NO on SB26: www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb26_2026
Stop SB26: Protect Independent Library Boards in Alabama
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
UPDATE: SB26 is scheduled for a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 18 in room 418. ☎️ It’s time your state Representative hears your voice! We have made it easy to get connected to your state Representative here: www.readfreelyalabama.org/makethecall_...
Make the Call to Stop SB26 in the State House
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
Censorship is NOT a winning issue at the polls, and thanks to resources like the documentary “The Librarians,” voters are seeing through the disinformation being spread by political actors and extremists that libraries are supplying “pornography” to children. www.salon.com/2026/02/06/s...
Shock Democratic upset in Texas shows voters still hate book bans
Running against Moms for Liberty is a winning 2026 strategy
salon.com
☎️It’s time your state Representative hears your voice! We have made it easy to get connected to your state Representative and urge them to vote NO on SB26: www.readfreelyalabama.org/makethecall_...
Make the Call to Stop SB26 in the State House
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
📢📢 Sen. Chris Elliott said the quiet part out loud about SB26: this bill is intended to further censor our public library collections. ‼️NOW is the time to act and let your senator know that this bill must not pass the chamber. Call your senator today: www.readfreelyalabama.org/make_the_cal...
Make the Call to Stop SB26
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
Confused about how libraries must show compliance with the new APLS code changes in order to receive their state funding? Don't feel bad- the APLS board is too! alabamareflector.com/2026/01/21/a...
APLS is playing cat-and-mouse with Fairhope library funds | Alabama Reflector
How can a library know whether it is in compliance with state code? The question might sound like a snooze, but the underlying topic is fraught.
alabamareflector.com
MLK Day is about action. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Dr. King Book bans silence voices and deny students opportunity. Today, stand up for the freedom to read: support librarians, share challenged books, and speak out. #MLKDay #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans
🍿Exciting news!🍿 Join us at the Civil Rights Memorial Center Feb. 18th and 19th for a very special screening of “The Librarians,” a documentary from Academy Award nominee and Peabody Award winner Kim A. Snyder. A panel discussion including Read Freely will follow the film. RSVP here: bit.ly/4pAUy5D
Read about the amicus brief we filed in support of the plaintiffs in Parnell v. School Board of Escambia County, Florida over the removal of "And Tango Makes Three," the true story about two male penguins who raised a baby together. www.alreporter.com/2025/12/31/r...
Read Freely files amicus brief opposing censorship in Florida
Last week, the organization filed an amicus brief supporting Florida plaintiffs who challenged the removal of books, arguing the Constitution guarantees the right to information.
alreporter.com
The first anti-library bill of 2026, SB26, would: ➡️create a mandatory reporting system for removed books. ➡️allow library board members to be dismissed for any reason, leaving them vulnerable to political pressure. ‼️TELL YOUR SENATOR NO ON SB26 HERE‼️ www.readfreelyalabama.org/stop_sb26_2026
Stop SB26: Protect Independent Library Boards in Alabama
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org
🎙️ "This is the people in the state of Alabama around that area saying 'Enough.'" 🎙️ Susan Britt perfectly sums up the Fairhope Public Library fundraiser. 🎯 (Link to full episode in comments. Library discussion begins at 10:00.)
The second issue of My Alabama Library is all about the Fairhope Public Library. See a glimpse of our interviews with Fairhope residents about why the library is “the beating heart” of this beautiful coastal town. See the full intro video and first article at myalabamalibrary.org/fairhope-pub...
"It's incredibly unfortunate to see that the APLS board that is supposed to be supporting libraries is instead attacking them."
@johnsharp99.bsky.social · 9mo agoFairhope received its $42K check Monday. The private donations will help replenish the lost state funding from the placement of books. Next year could mean another private fundraising effort - here's what is at stake: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
It was our honor to present a check for $42,280 for the Fairhope Public Library last night. Thank you to all of you who stepped up to do what APLS would not. www.alreporter.com/2025/12/02/r...
Read Freely donates $40K check to Fairhope Library in lieu of state funds
The Fairhope library has already lost more than $20,000 in state aid.
alreporter.com
📢 This week the APLS board added yet another amendment to the state code to further restrict access for minors. 📢 ➡️ The board will now force libraries to limit access for those under 18 via default restricted minor cards. www.alreporter.com/2025/11/21/a...
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.
alreporter.com
⚠️This investigative piece out of Maine shows a very familiar playbook from the same national, billionaire-backed organizations.⚠️ ➡️A mirror what is happening in our public libraries. ➡️ A preview of what has already begun in our public school boards. www.centralmaine.com/2025/11/19/p...
Parents’ rights groups, backed by conservative funders, bring fight to Maine school boards
The Gardiner-area school board is one of many across the state being confronted with organized, sometimes disruptive, efforts to remake education.
centralmaine.com
Despite his claims to be in favor of keeping control of library collections with local library boards and parents, APLS/ALGOP Chairman John Wahl intends to read each of the ten books in question at the center of the fight over Fairhope Public Library's state funding. www.al.com/news/2025/11...
Alabama library board finalizes transgender book restrictions, delays Fairhope funding
With restrictions in place will the state fund the Fairhope library?
al.com
After referring to the Fairhope Public Library as a "bad apple," "bad actors" and "acting in bad faith," APLS/ALGOP Chairman John Wahl said he plans to personally read and review all ten books in question and report back to the APLS board with his findings. alabamareflector.com/2025/11/21/a...
Alabama library board bans 'gender ideology;' punts on Fairhope funding | Alabama Reflector
The administrative code changes go beyond the original proposal, and not only deal with gender ideology but also library cards for minors.
alabamareflector.com
Yesterday the APLS voted to restrict materials with transgender characters from minors sections of Alabama libraries, as well as prevent their purchase going forward. See Read Freely Alabama's joint statement here: www.readfreelyalabama.org/statement_ap...
Statement on Discriminatory APLS Code Change
Supporting the Right to Read in All Alabama Libraries
readfreelyalabama.org