90-Day Public Comment Period on Proposed Changes to Alabama Public Library Services Administrative law is scheduled to begin in early February.

Gov. Kay Ivey suggested that officials change the rules in response to complaints from some people that libraries are providing “inappropriate materials” to minors.

Under the proposed changes, state aid to local libraries would be conditional on the adoption of “sensible policies to increase parental supervision of children.” The regulations also require libraries to submit policies on how they will handle the transfer of materials and how they will obtain prior approval for materials recommended, displayed, or promoted to youth.

Local library boards would also have to approve spending to the American Library Association.

Commissioner Nancy Pack confirmed to APR on Wednesday that the proposed changes have been submitted to the Alabama Department of Legislative Services and should be made public on January 31 to begin a 90-day public comment period. Ta. The APLS board will meet the day before after being forced to reschedule the meeting. The board lacks a quorum, in part due to Ivey's firing of longtime director Virginia Doyle.

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the proposed rulemaking action described above at any time within 90 days after publication of this notice. Written comments should be mailed or hand-delivered to Vanessa Carr, Alabama Public Library Services Executive Director, 6030 Monticello Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117.

Written comments must be received by Alabama Public Library Services by April 29, 2024 at 4:30 PM CST. A public hearing will be held on April 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time at the above address. Requests for oral comments should be directed to: [email protected] No later than 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2024. The order of oral comments will be determined based on the date the request was received in APLS. Verbal comments will be limited to three minutes.

Lawmakers have a vested interest in whether or not these changes are made, but they may not know soon enough to take action this Congress. Parliament has 120 days from February 6 to act, but can only be in session for a total of 30 days. If Congress followed its typical three-day week, the session would end before any hearings could be held.

A flurry of public comments on the changes could further complicate matters, as any additional changes would trigger a new 90-day public comment period that could significantly delay the process later this year.