Proposed library changes would increase censorship in Tennessee, the ACLU warns

Thousands more books may soon be banned under proposed policy changes within Rutherford County libraries. These restrictions would cause a ripple effect of censorship across the state, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.

On Monday, the library board in Rutherford County is scheduled to vote on whether to remove “freedom to read” policies. The board is also scheduled to decide on the potential removal of approximately 2,700 children’s books from public shelves at a Feb. 2 meeting.

Local library advocates and the ACLU called these proposals a coordinated national pattern to silence stories that don’t fit a narrow world view.

“These subtle policy changes slowly chip away at our rights, while mass removals from our community’s school and library bookshelves hit the First Amendment like a wrecking ball,” said Claire Gardner, community engagement director for the ACLU of Tennessee.

These changes would come amid accusations of county leadership directing staff to monitor which books residents are reading. Library Director Luanne James alleged that board chair Cody York directed 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.

In an announcement with the ACLU, James said that she wants every book to remain on the shelf.

“We believe that it is the right of the parent to decide what the child reads,” she said. “We have our own rights to do that and I’m going to continue to hold that stance.”

In October 2025, Secretary of State Tre Hargett sent a letter to library leadership directing them to review children’s books for “age-appropriateness” and compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive order about “defending women from gender ideology extremism.”

The letter caused panic, according to Tatiana Silvas, a high school English teacher and the communications director of Rutherford County Library Alliance.

“When a state official with funding authority names specific titles and references financial consequences, local boards don’t interpret that as a casual request,” she said. “They see it as a mandate.”

Additionally, local children’s author Christina Soontornvat said the letter’s vague language, like “age-appropriate,” creates confusion that could lead to librarians pulling more books than necessary.

This isn’t the first time that the ACLU has questioned the county’s restrictions. In April 2025, the organization brought a lawsuit against the Rutherford County Board of Education for banning or restricting over 145 books in the school library, calling it an “attack on an inclusive education.”

The upcoming meetings will take place at Murfreesboro City Hall and are open to the public.