Rutherford County library board to vote on removing 2,700 books and eliminating Freedom to Read protections. ACLU-TN calls on community to defend freedom to read.

EDITOR'S NOTE (January 23, 2026, 5:30 PM CT): Due to Winter Storm Benjamin, the Rutherford County Library System has cancelled the January 26 Special Called Meeting. All library locations will be closed January 24-26. A rescheduled date has not been announced. The February 2 meeting remains on the calendar as of this update.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — In two upcoming meetings, the Rutherford County Library System Board will vote on whether to eliminate library policies supporting the freedom to read and resisting censorship, and whether to remove approximately 2,700 children’s books from public shelves.

On Monday, January 26, the board will vote on proposals to remove the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and other First Amendment safeguards that have governed library operations for more than a decade.

On February 2, the board will vote on which of the 2,700 books flagged during a state-ordered review will be permanently removed from circulation.

Together, these decisions would fundamentally alter how public libraries operate and whose voices are allowed on their shelves.

Background and Reading Retaliation Concerns

These votes follow recent allegations by Library Director Luanne James, who has requested whistleblower protection. James alleges that Board Chair Cody York directed her to compile lists of patrons who checked out books with LGBTQ+ themes, including their names, addresses, and household information. York denied the allegations.

“In a state that values personal freedom and limited government, books shouldn't vanish quietly from shelves while no one is watching. When libraries ban books to erase LGBTQ+ people or silence conversations about racial justice, they're denying young Tennesseans the information they need to understand themselves and the world around them,” said Dr. Cathryn Stout, director of strategic communications for the ACLU of Tennessee.

“Will public libraries in Rutherford County remain places where everyone can find themselves reflected in stories or will political pressure determine which voices belong? Parents, students, librarians, and community members will be watching. So will the ACLU of Tennessee,” Stout added.

How Rutherford County Reached This Point

In October 2025, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett ordered libraries statewide to review children’s materials for “age-appropriateness” and content related to “gender ideology.”

In Rutherford County, two library branches closed so staff could review more than 60,000 books and approximately 2,700 titles were flagged. The list includes a Thanksgiving picture book featuring two dads and a board book explaining adoption and IVF.

The county also implemented a “graduated” library card system that restricts teenagers from checking out adult nonfiction — including SAT preparation materials — unless a parent appears in person.

The January 26 meeting would further eliminate all seven board committees responsible for budget, personnel, and policy oversight, consolidating authority while sidelining librarians and professional staff.

“People across Tennessee are watching what happens here,” said Claire Gardner, ACLU-TN community engagement director.

“We’ve seen this playbook before. PEN America has documented a national campaign targeting public libraries through legislative, administrative, and political pressure in an effort to silence stories that don’t fit a narrow worldview. But Tennesseans believe in freedom, and that includes the freedom to read. We are not backing down.”

Both meetings are open to the public, and residents will have the opportunity to speak. What the board decides will send a signal far beyond Rutherford County.

Upcoming Meetings

• Monday, January 26, 2026 — 5:00 PM CT
  Special Called Meeting
  Council Chamber, Murfreesboro City Hall

• Monday, February 2, 2026 — 5:00 PM CT
  Regular Board Meeting
  Council Chamber, Murfreesboro City Hall

Proposed policy changes are available at: https://www.aclu-tn.org/app/uploads/2026/01/RuCo-Jan2026BoardPacket_Called_Meeting.pdf

About the ACLU of Tennessee

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) is an affiliate of the national ACLU. For more than 50 years, ACLU-TN has worked to defend the principles of liberty, equality, and justice guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Learn more at www.aclu-tn.org.