Rutherford County Library System Director Luanne James said she won’t comply with a directive to relocate more than 190 children’s books from the kids section to the adult section.
The library board voted earlier this week to relocate the books, citing concerns about content, including LGBTQ+ themes. Board members said the decision is about age appropriateness and not banning books.
James said she is “ethically bound” to uphold the First Amendment. She argues that relocating the books would restrict access to information and violate the community’s rights.
The disagreement comes after months of debate over what materials should be available to children in public libraries.
Rutherford County Library Alliance member Tatiana Silvas called the decision “an act of patriotism,” saying James is standing up for the rights of library patrons and the broader community.
