A Tennessee library board has fired the state’s top librarian for refusing to follow through on its vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children’s section to the adult section over allegations that they promote “gender confusion.”
The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 Monday evening to fire library director Luanne James. James previously argued that moving the books would violate his and the First Amendment rights of the county’s residents and violate his federally mandated anti-discrimination duty.
The case sets up the southeast Nashville district as another flashpoint in a years-long national battle over library issues, often centered on racial and LGBTQ topics.
“His story will be like the one in Murfreesboro, TN, across the state, as a symbol of the fight against censorship and oppression,” said Kasey Meehan, director of the Freedom to Read program for PEN America, which advocates freedom of expression on behalf of writers.
Last fall, a former Wyoming library director won $700,000 to settle a lawsuit after he was shot. Terri Lesley was removed during the uproar over books with sexual content and LGBTQ topics that some people wanted to be removed from the shelves of young people, although Campbell County officials argued that only her performance contributed to her shooting.
In addition, in December, the United States Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal in a Texas free speech case that allowed local authorities to remove books deemed objectionable from public libraries.
The Tennessee decision stems from a March 16 vote by the board to transfer books to the adult library area of the state’s libraries. During the meeting, Board Chairman Cody York said it is dangerous and inappropriate to tell children, especially those entering puberty, that boys can be girls and girls can be boys.
Two days later, James emailed the board saying he would not be moving the books. Monday’s session was filled with cheers and applause from the audience. When it came time for James 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 from him in which he said he thought the firing was an illegal act of racial discrimination.
“Librarians should not be used as a filter for political purposes,” the statement said. “I stood up for the right to read, I stand up for the citizens of Rutherford County.”
At the same time, Rutherford County school board member Caleb Tidwell advocated removing books from the young readers section.
“Follow the law,” said Tidwell, who began his public remarks with a prayer. “Protect the children. Hold the phone.”
Last year, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office sent letters to library systems across the state requesting an immediate inspection of what was in their children’s sections. They said libraries that receive federal and state funding must follow applicable laws, and cited Trump’s executive order on gender stereotypes.
James was appointed county librarian in July 2025. He has served more than 25 years in public library roles, including directorships in Texas and South Carolina.
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