How did Tennessee get to be a national leader in book banning? Plus, the local news for Oct. 3, 2025.
PEN America warns of rise in books ‘systematically removed from school libraries’
A new report says that the number of books being challenged or removed from public schools across the country has risen exponentially in the past two years. A Clockwork Orange tops their list.
The ACLU is fighting Rutherford County’s book bans. Here’s why.
Books touching on sexuality and race are being pulled off the shelves in Tennessee, and Rutherford County is at the heart of the controversy.
ACLU asks court to block Rutherford County’s school board from banning more books
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three anonymous families and an organization supporting the free expression of writers, called PEN America. Thirty-two members of PEN America have had a total of 53 books banned or restricted by the Rutherford County school board.
NashVillager Podcast: Taking books off the shelves
What does a book ban really do? Plus, the local news for February 18, 2025.
NashVillager Podcast: Book bans and freedom of speech
Do school districts run afoul of the First Amendment when they pull books by the hundreds out of libraries? Plus the local news for December 2, 2024.
Activists and librarians are fighting a wave of challenges to books, many with LGBTQ themes
Tennesseans sought to remove hundreds of books from library shelves in 2023, many of them containing LGTBQ+ characters or themes.
‘The reason we can’t breathe’: Nashville Youth Poet Laureate takes on book bans and arming teachers
Nashville Youth Poet Laureate Jadyn Marshall doesn’t shy away from her frustrations with Tennessee policymakers. Her writing confronts topics like books bans, arming teachers and silencing young people.
Book bans are expanding from schools into public libraries in Sumner County. The group behind the shift is contributing to a culture of fear.
Library board members appointed by Sumner County Constitutional Republicans have deeply influenced local libraries, including passing a policy that critics say would censor collections across the county.
Book ban advocates could soon take over Sumner County’s school board. Behind the movement is a far-right political faction with a decade-long grudge.
The Sumner County Constitutional Republicans already hold a majority of seats on the County Commission. They hope to flip the school board in the upcoming March 5 elections, with endorsed candidates running in four of the six contests.
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