NASHVILLE, TN– A library board in Tennessee has fired the county’s chief librarian for refusing to comply with its vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children’s section to the adult section over claims they promote “gender confusion.”
The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 Monday evening to fire library system director Luann James. James previously said that moving the books would violate her and the county residents’ First Amendment rights and compromise her professional obligation against government-enforced viewpoint discrimination.
The case identifies the county southeast of Nashville as another focal point over the years A national battle over library contentoften focusing on racist and LGBTQ themes.
“Her story in court in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will resonate throughout the county as a symbol of the struggle against censorship and oppression,” said Casey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read Program, which advocates for free speech on behalf of writers.
Last fall, ex Wyoming Library Director She won $700,000 to settle a lawsuit after she was fired. Terri Leslie was removed during an uproar over books with sexual content and LGBTQ themes that some people sought to remove from young adult shelves, though Campbell County officials maintained that only her performance played a role in her expulsion.
Additionally, in December, the U.S. Supreme Court He refused to hear the appeal In a free speech case in Texas that allowed local officials to do so Remove books It is considered rejected by public libraries.
Tennessee’s decision stems from the council’s March 16 vote to move the books to the adult section of county libraries. During that meeting, Board President Cody York said it was dangerous and inaccurate to tell children, especially those going through puberty, that boys can be girls and girls can be boys.
Two days later, James emailed the board and said she would not be moving the books. The meeting on Monday was filled with cheers and boos from the audience. When it was James’ turn to speak, she said: “I stand by my decision and I will not change my mind.” After the board voted to fire her, James’ attorney read a statement from her in which she said she believed the firing was an unlawful act of viewpoint discrimination.
“Librarians should not be used as candidates for political agendas,” the statement said. “I defended the right to read, and I defended the citizens of Rutherford County.”
Meanwhile, Rutherford County School Board member Caleb Tidwell spoke in favor of moving books from the Young Readers section.
“Follow the law,” said Tidwell, who began his public comments with a prayer. “Protect the children. Stay on the line.”
Last year, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office sent letters to library systems across the state requesting an immediate review of what’s in children’s departments. Libraries that receive federal and state funding must comply with applicable laws, they say Trump’s Executive Order on Gender Ideology.
James was appointed county library director in July 2025. She has worked for more than 25 years in public library roles, including as director in Texas and South Carolina.