The Fairhope Public Library has completed reviewing its challenged material and unanimously voted to relocate a final book to the adult section amid its state funding pause.

“Like a Love Story,” written by Abdi Nazemian and published in 2019, is a historical romance novel intended for young adult audiences and follows an Iranian boy grappling with being gay during the AIDS crises in New York City. Anne Johnson and Randal Wright, who are part of the library’s Board of Trustees, read the book as part of its review process.

Wright said she was impressed with the writing of the book, citing that it was named one of the best young adult novels of all time by Time magazine. However, she said she found that some of the wording was objectionable and recommended to relocate it, an assessment Johnson agreed with.

A controversy that has divided the Fairhope community, the Alabama Public Library Services (APLS) paused funding for the Fairhope Public Library in March over alleged violations of its code that they say is to protect children and minors from sexually explicit material. APLS chairman John Wahl, who also serves as the chairman for the Alabama Republican Party, previously said the library “ignored” the concerns of parents, but library officials have insisted they are in compliance with APLS code.

During a meeting in Montgomery in July, the APLS delayed a decision on whether to restore funding to the library, with Wahl saying they would wait until the library has completed its review of the challenged material. At the time, Wright said five books had been relocated to adult sections amid their review process.

The APLS will meet again on Sept. 18, when it is expected that a decision on funding will be made barring unforeseen circumstances.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Gulf Coast Media.