Tennessee library director ousted after refusing to remove LGBTQ books

Rutherford County’s top librarian is out of a job after refusing to remove more than a hundred books the library board deemed inappropriate. 

Luanne James is now the former executive director of the Rutherford County Library System. She was fired during a special meeting held by the county library board on Monday night.

James resisted an order by the board to relocate books covering LGBTQ issues from the children’s section of the library to the adult’s section – saying the request was a form of discrimination and act of censorship.

 At Monday’s meeting, tensions ran high as hundreds showed up to the Rutherford County Courthouse where library leadership decided James’ fate.

 Brandon Holmes was among those who addressed the board. He said removing these books is meant to erase certain groups.

 “The goal has always been making sure that some of us feel unwelcome in this community by saying that our stories don’t belong,” Holmes said. “Queer children, one of the most vulnerable groups, look like easy targets to weak people and some of them are sitting before you today.”

Others spoke out against the board chair, Cody York, saying he had not actually read any of the books he directed James to remove.

Last year, James accused York of telling her to compile lists of people who checked out books with LGBTQ+ themes, including their names, addresses and household information. York has denied any wrongdoing. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee publicly supported James’ refusal to adhere to this directive, warning that this type of censorship would have ripple effects across the state.

The saga over banning books in Tennessee has been long brewing. In October 2025, Secretary of State Tre Hargett directed library leadership to review children’s books for “age-appropriateness” and comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order about “defending women from gender ideology extremism.”

Some members of the crowd, which spilled into the halls of the courthouse, supported James’ firing. Matt Giffen said those citing First Amendment rights are actually appealing to godlessness.

“The evil that we’re striving to protect our children from appears to be present not only in books and our public libraries, but also in the people who may understand,” said Giffen. “Someone like Ms. James, who apparently cannot assert the difference between what is good and what is wicked, should not be allowed to serve in a position of authority over our libraries any longer.”

James spoke few words in her defense, but made clear where she stands.

“I stand by my position,” she said. “I will not change my mind.”

The crowd then erupted into applause with some chanting, “Shame!” and “Cowards!” at the library board. Others directed their ire directly at York, yelling that they will vote him out.

The board ultimately voted 8 – 3 to terminate James’ employment. Her supporters then yelled, “We stand with Luanne!” as she was escorted out of the building.