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 8:34pm

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A serene, nostalgic painting of an empty library reading room with a single book on a table, conveying the solitary struggle for intellectual freedom in the face of community pressure.In a battle over censorship, a lone librarian stands her ground to protect the right to read, even as her community's values clash with her professional ethics.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-themed books from the children's section to the adult section of local libraries. James argued the relocation would violate free speech rights and her professional obligation against viewpoint discrimination.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing national debate over library content, particularly materials related to LGBTQ and racial themes, and the tension between community standards, free speech, and a librarian's professional ethics. It establishes Rutherford County as a new flashpoint in the fight over censorship and suppression of certain viewpoints in public libraries.

The details

In a 8-3 vote, the Rutherford County Library Board fired library system director Luanne James for refusing to relocate over 100 LGBTQ-themed books from the children's section to the adult section. The board claimed the books 'promote gender confusion,' while James argued the relocation would violate free speech rights and her professional obligation against viewpoint discrimination.

  • On March 16, the library board voted to relocate the LGBTQ books.
  • On March 18, James emailed the board saying she would not move the books.
  • On March 30, the board voted to terminate James from her position.

The players

Luanne James

The former director of the Rutherford County Library System who was fired for refusing to relocate LGBTQ-themed books from the children's section.

Rutherford County Library Board

The local library governing board that voted 8-3 to fire Luanne James over her refusal to move the LGBTQ books.

Cody York

The chairman of the Rutherford County Library Board who said 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 'Protect the children. Hold the line.'

Kasey Meehan

The director of the Freedom to Read program for PEN America, which advocates for freedom of expression, who said James' story will 'echo across the country' as emblematic of the fight against censorship.

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What they’re saying

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

— Luanne James, Former Rutherford County Library System 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 Rutherford County Library System 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 country, as emblematic of the fight against censorship and suppression.”

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

What’s next

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has announced it will assist Luanne James in filing a lawsuit against the Rutherford County Library Board, alleging the termination was an unlawful act of viewpoint discrimination.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing national debate over the role of public libraries in providing access to diverse viewpoints, particularly around LGBTQ and racial themes, and the tension between community standards, free speech, and professional ethics for librarians. It underscores the need for clear policies and procedures to govern library content decisions that balance the rights of all community members.