A Library Director in Tennessee was Fired For Refusing to Move LGBTQ+ Books
Meet the librarian protecting the rights of all community members
After eight months on the job and 25 years working in public libraries, the Rutherford County Library Board in Tennessee voted to terminate Luanne James for not moving more than 100+ titles of children's books to the adult section.
The reason? The board said they were “inappropriate for younger readers” — AKA the books contained LGBTQ+ themes and characters.
Our libraries are funded by and for the citizens; therefore, the right to access information — free from government interference — is a protected hallmark of our democracy.
—Luanne James, Former Director of the Rutherford County Library System
Luanne James says she stands by her decision to keep LGBTQ+ books in the children’s section and would make the same decision again.
She said that while the outcome has been difficult, she hopes it will make a difference for librarians and help move the conversation forward.
Luanne also sees her dismissal as part of a broader shift in which public institutions are being dragged into political fights. Across the country, librarians are facing pressure, harassment, and even losing their jobs over books that discuss race and LGBTQ+ lives.
We can’t just stand by and watch this keep happening.
Here is How to Recognize Soft Censorship in Your Community
Moving books to restricted sections.
Pressuring libraries and schools to exclude specific titles from public displays.
Removing books from shelves for review for extended or indefinite periods of time.
Coordinating to check out all the books on a particular topic and delaying or refusing to return them.
Using the standard library practice of ‘weeding’ (removing old, unused, or damaged books from circulation) to quietly remove targeted books.
Implementing policies or passing laws making it easier to challenge books while simultaneously requiring complicated, time-consuming, and expensive review processes.
To learn more about standing up for our freedom to read, just like Luanne James did, ‘Freedom to Parent’ is a movement of mainstream moms (and dads, grandparents, caregivers, and educators!) who are standing up for our freedom to decide how to prepare our kids for the 21st century.
Join us.