“I Will Not Comply”: Librarian Luann James Fights Censorship Demands of Rutherford County Libra

A librarian, Luann James, is fighting censorship demands from the Rutherford County Library System’s Board. The Library Bill of Rights requires library workers to uphold the right to read and speak out against efforts to remove First Amendment rights related to public libraries. The Rutherford County Library System has been under fire for years and voted to ban all trans books for minors earlier this year. The board overturned its anti-trans book policy months later, fearing litigation. In 2023, Murfreesboro, located within Rutherford County, passed an anti-LGBTQ+ law that banned displays of homosexuality, but the board revised this law after an ACLU lawsuit. Rutherford County Schools have also been subject to an ACLU lawsuit for their commitment to book banning.

• This is a story about a librarian doing everything she can to defend the right to read.
• The Library Bill of Rights, which serves as the ethical guidelines for the field , requires library workers to uphold the right to read and to speak out against efforts to remove the First Amendment rights of American citizens as they relate to the public library.
• Months after passing their anti-trans book policy, the RCLS decided to overturn it. That decision was not based on a change of heart but rather fear of litigation .

Source: Book Riot  | 
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