Image Credit: Rutherford County Library System / Facebook & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Libraries in Rutherford County are conducting an inventory of their collections while closed for a week in order to comply with state age-appropriate laws and federal orders. Hundreds of children’s and juvenile books are being evaluated.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett sent a letter to all 181 libraries in the state’s regional library system early in September, following an executive order that was signed by President Donald Trump soon after taking office.
The executive order which was entitled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” was intended to bring common sense back to public institutions that receive federal funds, which include libraries.
Hargett’s letter aims to bring Tennessee’s libraries into compliance with the order, all of which receive federal funding through the state by asking them to review materials for anything that could violate the federal order regarding gender ideology or the state’s age-appropriateness laws, or rules on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Approximately $3.1 million in state and federal funds are disbursed as grants among the state’s libraries across 91 counties annually for the purchasing of books and other library materials.
According to Deputy Communications Director Alexa Williams who spoke on behalf of Hargett’s office, Rutherford County is the only county in the regional system that announced closures during their review.
Last week, the Smyrna Public Library was closed for “emergency inventory” and is expected to reopen today. The Linebaugh Public Library is expected to be closed today through Friday, November 21st.
Williams stated that their office has received numerous complaints about books in public libraries for several years.
“We want all Tennesseans to have confidence in the materials collections as curated by the local library directors and their respective library boards,” said Williams. “This level of local decision-making helps build a strong library collection that reflects its community.”
Williams said that while out-of-state corporate publishers have designations for books and materials to be catalogued for specific age groups, local libraries should determine where books and materials are ultimately placed.
Rutherford County Library System Chair Cody York says that Hargett will be seen as a hero to those in the community working to protect children from inappropriate materials in public libraries.
York has been battling to rid his county’s libraries of objectionable materials since 2022.
While met with resistance from library officials, York fought back and was later appointed to the library board and later became chair.
York became engaged in the matter of age-appropriate materials when his then 6-year-old daughter had access to a book that contained nudity, and showed images of sexual positions.
In 2022, this book, as well as many others considered not to be appropriate for children were available for check-out for any member of the library, no matter their age.
Since joining the board, York and other board members have made changes to the way books can be checked out, establishing three separate age categories.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
