Tennessee Library Board Fires Director Over LGBTQ Book Move

The Rutherford County Library Board in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, voted 8-3 on Monday to fire its director, Luanne James, after she refused to relocate more than 100 books with LGBTQ themes from the children's section to the adult section of the county's library system.

The decision followed a March 16 board vote directing James to move the books to ensure age-appropriate access, in line with state laws requiring libraries to place materials in sections corresponding to their intended audience. The books, which included titles such as "The Gender Wheel," "Who Are You? The Kids' Guide to Gender Identity," and "When Aidan Became a Brother"—a picture book about a child identifying as transgender—would remain available in the adult section for checkout by parents or minors with parental approval. James, who had served as director since July 2025 after more than 25 years in library roles, declined to comply, stating in an email to the board that the action would violate First Amendment rights and her professional obligations under American Library Association guidelines on intellectual freedom.

During the meeting, James addressed the board directly. "I stand by my decision. I will not...