Tennessee Librarian Fired for Refusing to Move LGBTQ Books

Rutherford County Library Board votes to terminate director over book relocation dispute

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:18pm

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A warm, cinematic painting depicting a solitary library book cart in a quiet, sunlit room, conveying the somber mood of a censorship conflict.The firing of a Tennessee librarian over her refusal to restrict LGBTQ-themed books reflects the ongoing national battle over library content and censorship.Murfreesboro Today

The Rutherford County Library Board in Tennessee has fired the county's top librarian, Luanne James, for refusing to comply with the board's vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children's section to the adult section of the library. James argued the relocation would violate free speech rights and professional ethics.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing national debate over library content, particularly materials related to LGBTQ and racial themes, as some communities seek to restrict access to such books, often citing concerns about 'gender confusion' or 'protecting children.' The firing of the librarian over her refusal to comply with the board's directive establishes Rutherford County as the latest flashpoint in this ideological battle.

The details

The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 to fire library system director Luanne James after she refused to relocate over 100 LGBTQ-themed books from the children's section to the adult section. James argued the relocation would violate free speech rights and her professional obligation against viewpoint discrimination. The board claimed the books 'promote gender confusion' and should be moved to the adult section.

  • On March 16, the library board voted to relocate the LGBTQ books to the adult section.
  • Two days later, on March 18, James emailed the board saying she would not move the books.
  • On March 27, the library board voted 8-3 to fire James for her refusal to comply with the book relocation.

The players

Luanne James

The former library system director for Rutherford County, Tennessee, who was fired for refusing to relocate over 100 LGBTQ-themed books from the children's section to the adult section.

Rutherford County Library Board

The governing board of the Rutherford County library system that voted 8-3 to fire director Luanne James for her refusal to comply with their directive to move LGBTQ books.

Cody York

The chairman of the Rutherford County Library Board who stated that it is 'dangerous and inaccurate' to tell children that 'boys can be girls and girls can be boys.'

Caleb Tidwell

A Rutherford County school board member who spoke in favor of moving the LGBTQ books out of the children's section, saying 'Follow the law. Protect the children. Hold the line.'

Kasey Meehan

The director of the Freedom to Read program for PEN America, an organization that advocates for freedom of expression, who said James' story will be 'emblematic of the fight against censorship and suppression.'

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What they’re saying

“I stand by my decision and I will not change my mind.”

— Luanne James, Former Library Director

“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.”

— Luanne James, Former Library Director

“Follow the law. Protect the children. Hold the line.”

— Caleb Tidwell, Rutherford County School Board Member

“Her story will echo from the Courthouse in Murfreesboro, TN, across the county, as emblematic of the fight against censorship and suppression.”

— Kasey Meehan, Director of Freedom to Read Program, PEN America

What’s next

James' attorney has indicated she plans to challenge the firing as an unlawful act of viewpoint discrimination. The case could set a precedent for how libraries handle challenges to LGBTQ-themed materials in their collections.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing national debate over library content and the rights of librarians to maintain collections that serve the diverse needs of their communities, versus the efforts of some local officials to restrict access to materials they deem objectionable based on political or ideological grounds.