Tennessee Library Director Fired for Refusing to Relocate LGBTQ+ Children’s Books to Library System’s Adult Section
Tennessee Library Director Fired for Refusing to Relocate LGBTQ+ Children’s Books to Library System’s Adult Section
Carly Tagen-DyeThu, April 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM UTC
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A stock image of books in a libraryCredit: Getty -
A Tennessee library director was fired on March 30 for refusing to relocate over 100 LGBTQ+ children’s books to the library system’s adult section
Dr. Luanne James, a director for Rutherford County Library System, refused to comply with orders to move the books, stating, “doing so would violate the First Amendment right of all citizens of Rutherford County and myself”
James’ firing comes in the midst of a rise of attacks on LGBTQ+ literature around the country
A Tennessee library director was fired following her refusal to relocate over 100 children's books with LGBTQ+ themes into the library system’s adult section.On March 16, Rutherford County Library Board in Tennessee voted to relocate over 190 children’s books to the library system’s adult sections, following an October 2025 “age-appropriateness review.” Titles proposed to be moved included violence or violent images, and books that “promote gender confusion,” according to MTSU Sidelines.On March 18, library system director Dr. Luanne James emailed the board, stating she would not comply with the decision to relocate LGBTQ+ children’s titles.“Doing so would violate the First Amendment right of all citizens of Rutherford County and myself,” James’ message read. “Consequently, I would compromise my professional obligation to oppose government-mandated viewpoint discrimination.”On March 30, the Rutherford County Library Board voted to fire James during a meeting, also attended by supporters and protestors of James’ firing and the removal of the books.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Rutherford County Library Board for comment.
A stock image of books on a shelfCredit: Getty
James’ firing comes amidst rising attacks on LGBTQ+ literature around the United States. Recent proposed bill House Resolution 7661 seeks to prevent public schools from stocking and teaching LGBTQ+ titles. In an October 2025 report, free speech organization PEN America stated that the majority of books targeted by book bans explore themes like gender identity and sexuality, along with sexual violence, race and racism.
“[James’] 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 PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, said in a March 30 statement on James’ firing. “Along with the many supporters in the audience at tonight’s disciplinary hearing, we at PEN America stand with Luanne.”Rutherford County Library Board members were divided on whether or not to relocate the books in their March 16 meeting, which was attended by over 200 community members. “A library, a public library especially, is not a museum of acceptable ideas,” said Angela Frederick, a board member who voted against moving the books. “So, it doesn’t have to be that every idea expressed in every book in the library is acceptable to every person in our community.”“I would argue that gender confusion [is] the idea of telling someone that boys aren’t really boys, they can be girls, and girls aren’t really girls, they can be boys, and that you should advocate for [or] encourage the dismembering of healthy sex organs,” said board chairman Cody York, who voted in favor of the book relocation. “I don’t think that that’s appropriate for children.”
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A stock image of books in a libraryCredit: Getty
Following the March 30 meeting, attorney Chuck Mangelsdorf issued a statement to reporters on James’ behalf.
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I'm disappointed that I lost my job as Director of the County Library System. I lost it for doing exactly what librarians are supposed to do — protect the rights of all community members to access books and information,” the statement said. “Public libraries are community forums serving the entire community, not just those who share the loudest voice or the most restrictive views. 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,” the statement continued. “I believe my firing is unlawful, an act of viewpoint discrimination. This action hurts library patrons, not just the librarians. I've worked throughout my professional career to gain the knowledge, experience and trust to become a library director. This trust compels me to fight for the freedom Rutherford County read freely. This includes the right of young people to access books and ideas and to resist an order to essentially hide books in the library.”
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