A senior librarian in Tennessee has been fired for refusing to relocate more than 100 books in a children’s section, sparking debate over censorship, free speech and LGBTQ content in public libraries.The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8-3 to oust James after she refused to implement the board’s directive to move approximately 132 books deemed “age-inappropriate” from the children’s section to the adult shelves.The council’s decision comes after concerns were raised about LGBTQ and social justice themes, with officials arguing the move was necessary to “protect the innocence of children”.
Who is Luann James
Luanne James is the former director of the Rutherford County Library System and has worked in public libraries for more than 25 years.Over the course of her career, she has secured nearly $6 million in grants to help expand access to books, technology and community services, including building upgrades and outreach programs.James publicly defied the order, saying it would infringe on free speech rights.“I will not abide by the committee’s decision… To do so would be a violation of the First Amendment,” she said, adding that it would constitute “government-enforced viewpoint discrimination.”She later described the dismissal as “illegal” and said librarians should not be used as tools for political agendas.
GoFundMe launched
Following her ouster, supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign to help James and her family with living expenses.Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stepped in and said it would assist her in filing a lawsuit against the committee, alleging viewpoint discrimination.Board President Cody York defended the decision, arguing that certain ideas about gender identity were inappropriate for children.“When directors refuse to implement decisions formally adopted by the board, it undermines the governance of the institution,” he said.The controversy highlights national divisions over library content, especially books dealing with LGBTQ themes and race.
