A library director in Tennessee was fired late Monday night after she refused to move more than 100 LGBT-related books from the children’s section to the adult section of the library system, local media reported.
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Luanne James was axed from her position at the Rutherford County library system in a contentious board meeting late Monday. The tense meeting was split between board members who believe the content of the books is inappropriate for younger readers and supporters who argued that such decisions must remain in the hands of librarians and cautioned against restricting access to books.
The board recently ruled the books were inappropriate — citing LGBTQ+ themes, diversity, social justice and witches — and should be moved, but James refused . The board ultimately voted 8-3 in favour of immediately terminating James from her job.
Librarian explores legal action
After she was shown the door, James released a statement:
“I am disappointed that I lost my job as director of the county library system. I lost it for doing exactly what librarians are supposed to do, protect the rights of all community members to access books and information.
“I was instructed by the Rutherford County library board to relocate well over 100 books, including LGBTQ plus themed/teen books. I refused to do so because I believe such action constitutes censorship, violates the first amendment and goes against my duty to uphold intellectual freedom through American Library Association guidelines.
“Public libraries are community forums, serving the entire community, not just those who share the loudest voice or the most restricted views. Librarians should not be used as a filter for political agendas.
“I stood up for the right to read — standing for the citizens of Rutherford County. I believe my firing is an unlawful act of viewpoint discrimination. This action hurts library patrons, not just the librarian.
“I’ve worked throughout my professional career to gain the knowledge, experience and trust to become a library director. This trust compels me to fight for the freedom of this community to read freely. This includes the right of young people to access books and ideas, and to resist an order to essentially hide the books.
“I’m exploring all legal options to challenge this retaliatory termination. It’s my understanding the board’s action tonight is unlawful. I hope my actions encourage others to stand against the targeting of our public institutions.”
Books for review
The move comes after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett requested an “immediate age-appropriateness review ” of materials in the juvenile sections of the state’s public libraries, mentioning recent state legislation on age-appropriate material and and executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump banning “gender ideology extremism.”
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Closer to home
Libraries with age-appropriate material has long been a subject of debate in Canada . In 2023, advocates in Manitoba unsuccessfully campaigned to remove LGBT+ books from school libraries.
Alberta banned sexually explicit material from its school libraries last year, citing such examples as graphic novels “Gender Queer,” “Fun Home,” and “Flamer,” all of which contain extremely sexually graphic and violent imagery, all of which sat on shelves at Alberta school libraries until the province imposed the ban.
Opponents responded with what Premier Danielle Smith called “vicious compliance,” with the Edmonton public school board leaking a list of books that included, Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” and Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”.