US EditionRutherford County library director could face disciplinary action over LGBTQIA book stance
The board fired Dr. Luanne James after she refused to move 132 children’s books with LGBTQIA themes, citing First Amendment rights and privacy concerns, amid national anti-censorship attention.
- On Monday night, the Rutherford County Library System Board voted 8-3 to fire Library Director Luanne James after she refused to relocate 132 children's books to the adult section.
- Board members deemed the titles inappropriate, citing LGBTQIA themes, while James argued in a letter that relocation would violate the First Amendment and constitute "government-mandated viewpoint discrimination."
- Chairman Cody York hired Brentwood attorney Larry Crain ahead of the meeting, calling James's refusal "insubordination" warranting "serious disciplinary consideration, up to and including termination."
- James stated through her attorney that "this action hurts library patrons, not just the librarian," while audience members at Monday's packed meeting expressed sharply divided opinions on the decision.
- Board member Allison Belt raised concerns that the library system's insurance may not cover damages if the board is found to have violated the law, highlighting potential financial liability.
20 Articles
20 Articles
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 …
Tennessee Librarian Fired For Refusing To Move Books From Children's To Adult Section
The Rutherford County Library Board voted Monday evening to fire library system director Luanne James for refusing to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children’s to the adult section.
Associated Press News
Tennessee librarian fired for refusing to move more than 100 books from children's to adult section
A local Tennessee library board has fired the county’s top librarian for refusing to comply with its vote to move more than 100 LGBTQ books from the children’s to the adult section over claims.
Rutherford County Library System director terminated for refusing to relocate certain books
The Rutherford County Library System director was fired during a Rutherford County Library board meeting on Monday night after she reportedly refused to comply with the board’s decision to relocate 132 books.
Library director fired after book dispute in Rutherford County
The decision came after a tense public meeting, where board members clashed over whether the titles should be moved to the adult section. At the center of the debate was the director’s refusal to relocate the books, a stance that drew both support and criticism from the community and officials.
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