Tennessee librarian fired for refusing to move more than 100 books from children’s to adult section
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A library board in Tennessee fired the district’s top librarian for refusing to comply with a vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children’s section to the adult section because they allegedly promoted “gender confusion.”
The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 Monday evening to fire library system director Luanne James. James has previously said relocating the books would violate his and area residents’ First Amendment rights and jeopardize his professional liability to protect against government-mandated viewpoint discrimination.
The case brings the county southeast of Nashville into another focal point for years to come National struggle over library contentoften focusing on racial and LGBTQ themes.
“His story will resonate across the country at the Murfreesboro, TN Courthouse as a symbol of the fight against censorship and oppression,” said Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, which advocates for free speech on behalf of writers.
Last fall, an old Wyoming Library Director He won $700,000 in the lawsuit filed after his firing. Terri Lesley was suspended during the uproar over sexually explicit and LGBTQ-themed books that some people wanted removed from teen shelves, but Campbell County officials claimed her performance alone played a role in her firing.
Also in December, the US Supreme Court refused to hear the objection In a case in Texas where local officials had free speech put away the books It is considered objectionable by public libraries.
Tennessee’s decision stems from the board’s March 16 vote to move the books to the adult section at county libraries. At the meeting, board president Cody York said it was dangerous and wrong to tell children, especially teenagers, that boys can be girls and girls can be boys.
Two days later, James emailed the board and said he would not be moving the books. Monday’s meeting was filled with cheers and boos from the audience. When it was James’ turn to speak, he said: “I stand by my decision and I will not change my mind.” After the board voted to fire him, James’ attorney read a statement in which he said he thought the firing was an unlawful act of viewpoint discrimination.
“Librarians should not be used as a filter for political agendas,” the statement said. “I stood with the citizens of Rutherford County, defending their right to read.”
Meanwhile, Rutherford County school board member Caleb Tidwell spoke in favor of removing the books from the section for young readers.
“Follow the law,” said Tidwell, who began his public comments with a prayer. “Protect the children. Protect the line.”
Last year, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office sent letters to library systems statewide demanding immediate reviews of children’s sections. They say libraries that receive federal and state funding must comply with applicable laws and Trump’s executive order on gender ideology.
James was appointed county library director in July 2025. She worked in public library roles for more than 25 years, including directorships in Texas and South Carolina.
