Earlier this month, the Alabama State Library Service (APLS) approved a list of proposed administrative rule changes submitted by Governor Kay Ivey that would address the issue of sexually explicit books being placed in children's sections of libraries across the state.

The new rules say libraries must address how they will protect minors “from sexually explicit material deemed inappropriate for children and adolescents.” Libraries are also to develop policies governing where they will store or move books that contain “sexually explicit or other material deemed inappropriate for children and adolescents.”

John Wall, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and an ALPS board member, recently discussed the issue on WVNN's “Yaffee Program.”

“This vote means that Alabama now has some of the strictest requirements in the nation to keep children safe,” Wall said, “and parents know they won't accidentally come across sexually explicit material in our libraries. The Commission made a firm decision to stand with Alabama parents, defend their rights and freedoms, and put families first.”

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Wall also addressed some of the criticisms of the new policy.

“There are people who want to say this is censorship,” he said. “They just want to say this is a book ban. Let me be clear: No one supports the First Amendment or free speech more than I do. I do not support the government telling anyone what they can or can't read. At the same time, we're not talking about censorship here. We're not talking about book banning. We're talking about whether sexually explicit material should be in children's sections or in libraries. And I firmly believe the answer is no.”

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“We have a duty as a society to protect our children,” he added. “And we've known since time immemorial that through books, movies, video games, radio, television shows, we don't want kids to drink alcohol. We don't want kids to smoke. My question is, why should libraries be any different?”

Wall said he also appreciates the issue was resolved by the board and not the Legislature.

“I think in this case, this was very much a board decision,” he explained. “If the board didn't do the right thing, I think the Legislature has a duty to its constituents to step in and make it right. But in the case of the Library Board, I think we just did the right thing. We did the right thing. I'm proud of the other board members, I'm proud of Kay Ivey for stepping in and highlighting this need and supporting the board. And ultimately the winner is the people of Alabama. Their government officials heard what was needed and acted on it. And I think this was very appropriate. This was the right channel, the right group.”

Yaffe is a contributing writer for Yellow Hammer News and hosts “The Yaffe Program” weekdays from 9-11 a.m. WhistlerYou can follow him on X @Yaffe