Wilson County Schools Director Says Reports Of Library Closures Are False

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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

Despite reports stating otherwise, Wilson County Schools has no plan to close their libraries as they push forward with compliance with a new state law prohibiting sexually explicit materials in public school libraries, according to school officials.

The new law, which went into effect on July 1, prohibits schools from providing access to objectionable materials that contain references to topics that Tennessee law designates as not age-appropriate.

“We will fully comply, and the process to remove materials will happen in a productive and expedited process,” said Wilson County Schools Public Information Officer Bart Barker. “But closing libraries is not our intent as we navigate through this new legislation.”

Reports have stated that Green Hill High School’s library was already closed as they worked through the process. 

According to the district, however, these reports are false. They state that the library is serving as a distribution location for Chromebooks and textbooks before students are allowed to begin checking out books. When that process is completed, all schools in the district will return to their normal operations, which is expected to happen sometime next week.

Director of Schools Jeff Luttrell says the district plans to work through the removal of some books in order to comply.

The legislation forbids school districts from allowing materials that have nudity or that describe or depict sexual activity, including sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse. 

Additionally, local boards of education are required to establish procedures for the review of all school library materials.