Former Rutherford County library director sues after firing over disputed book relocations

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Former Rutherford County Library System Executive Director Luanne James is suing the library system and members of its board, alleging she was fired in retaliation for opposing the relocation and removal of books she believed were protected by the First Amendment.

James filed the federal lawsuit Sept. 23, about six months after the Rutherford County Library System Board voted to terminate her employment.

The lawsuit alleges the conflict began just two days after James started her job in July 2025.

James, who had worked as a professional librarian for more than 25 years, told Middle Tennessee News that she believed the position would be the final chapter of her career.

According to the complaint, James met then-board Chair Cody York for lunch July 29, 2025. The lawsuit alleges York told James he wanted the library to “get rid of” books involving gender identity, transgender people and gay and lesbian relationships because he considered them harmful or inappropriate for children.

The complaint also alleges York reminded James that she was still in her probationary employment period.

“I just sat there dumbfounded. I couldn't believe what I was hearing on the second day in my job,” James said.

The lawsuit alleges York later gave James four children’s books he had personally checked out and kept in his office. The books included Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent, Julian Is a Mermaid, Pride Puppy and The Rainbow Parade. According to the complaint, York directed James to remove the books from the library’s collection.

The lawsuit alleges the dispute expanded over the following months.

Thousands of books reviewed

In fall 2025, Rutherford County Library System staff reviewed approximately 60,000 items as part of a review of children’s materials, according to the complaint.

About 2,200 titles were flagged for additional review.

The complaint says Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett later expressed concern about the scope of the review in a Dec. 17, 2025, letter to James and York.

Hargett wrote that the review was “so far beyond” the guidance his office provided and said it could “unnecessarily and substantially delay” the community’s access to books, according to the lawsuit.

At a Dec. 1, 2025, library board meeting, James was asked whether she had witnessed misconduct by board members.

The complaint says James publicly described her July lunch with York and the instructions she said he had given her regarding library materials.

James also described requests for information about library patrons, including their names, addresses, ZIP codes, bar codes and the number of children and adults in their households, according to her account.

James said she knew speaking publicly could have consequences.

“I knew,” James said when asked whether she believed the board would retaliate against her.

Board votes to move books

The dispute continued into March 2026.

According to the lawsuit, York presented a list of 116 books he wanted removed or relocated, while board member Beth Duffield presented another list of 16 books. The lists included books dealing with LGBTQ+ topics, gender identity and other subjects.

James told the board that the library's established reconsideration policy required individual challenges for individual titles, according to the complaint.

On March 16, the board voted 8-3 to relocate approximately 130 books from the children's section to the adult section, according to the lawsuit.

The next day, James emailed the board and staff saying she would not comply with the directive.

In the email, quoted in the lawsuit, James said relocating the books without following the library's reconsideration process was a “clear act of viewpoint discrimination.”

She also said she was professionally and ethically obligated to uphold the First Amendment and protect public access to information.

The following day, York responded that the board was responsible for establishing library policy and that the director was responsible for carrying out those decisions, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit alleges York then called a special meeting to discuss disciplinary action against James.

James fired

On March 30, 2026, the library board voted 8-3 to terminate James, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit says James' termination letter cited insubordination because she refused to follow the board's vote to relocate approximately 130 books.

James, however, alleges the stated reason for her firing was a pretext and that she was actually terminated because she opposed what she believed were discriminatory and unconstitutional restrictions on library materials.

The complaint alleges the board's actions violated James' rights under the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment and federal anti-discrimination law. James is seeking damages, attorney fees and other relief.

James said she knew she would not be returning to work before the board officially fired her.

“Knowing that I wasn't going to go back to work the next day and see my staff, I preemptively said goodbyes to my staff,” she said.

The board ultimately voted 8-3 to terminate her.

Six months after her firing, James said she does not regret refusing to follow the board's directive.

“I will not change my decision. I didn't intend and I'm not going to now,” James said.

The lawsuit remains pending in federal court. James’ legal team says the case could take years.

 Not all of the Rutherford County Library System Board members are named in the lawsuit. Lynn Reynolds, Allison Belt and Angela Frederick, who voted not to terminate James, weren’t named in the lawsuit. 

Middle Tennessee News tried to reach out to the board members named in the lawsuit, and we have not heard back. 

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