A senior librarian in the US state of Tennessee has been fired after refusing to relocate more than 100 books from children’s sections, sparking a debate over censorship, free speech, and LGBTQ content in public libraries.The Rutherford County Library Board voted 8–3 to remove James after she refused to implement its directive to move around 132 books deemed “age-inappropriate” from children’s sections to adult shelves.The board’s decision followed concerns raised over LGBTQ and social justice themes, with officials arguing the move was necessary to “protect children’s innocence.”
Who is Luanne James
Luanne James served as the director of the Rutherford County Library System and has spent over 25 years working in public libraries.During her career, she secured nearly USD 6 million in grants, helping expand access to books, technology, and community services, including building upgrades and outreach programmes.
James openly defied the order, saying it would violate free speech rights.“I will not comply with the Board’s decision… Doing so would violate the First Amendment,” she said, adding that it would amount to “government-mandated viewpoint discrimination.”
She later described her firing as “unlawful” and said librarians should not be used as tools for political agendas.
GoFundMe launched
Following her removal, supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign to help James and her family cover living expenses.Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stepped in, saying it will assist her in filing a lawsuit against the board, alleging viewpoint discrimination.Board chairman Cody York defended the decision, arguing that certain ideas around gender identity were not appropriate for children.“When a director refuses to carry out a duly adopted Board decision, it undermines the governance of the institution,” he said.The controversy highlights a national divide in the US over library content, particularly books dealing with LGBTQ themes and race.
