The Rutherford County Library Board debated American Library Association statements related to controversial library books during its March 16 meeting, including the "Guidelines for the Development of Policies and Procedures Regarding User Behavior and Library Usage" and the "Code of Ethics."
The library board discussed these statements toward the end of the program. The statements were listed as "item eight" on the agenda, and debate over them was the final part of the meeting. The board also discussed the "Freedom to Read" and "Freedom to View" statements, as well as the "Library Bill of Rights."
The American Library Association advocates for children and adults alike to access any reading materials they choose, but it is merely a membership association. Public libraries voluntarily join the ALA.
Thus, the ALA has no jurisdiction. Its "Code of Ethics" consists of guidelines, not workplace mandates.
What were the "pressure groups?"
In the words of the ALA website, “pressure groups and government officials” were responsible for launching 92% of book challenges in 2025. As per the ALA, “only 3% of individual parents initiated book challenges."
Yet, the Reckon news site stated that a significant number of those "pressure groups" are similar to One Million Moms and Take Back the Classroom, since these organizations are designed and led by concerned parents to fight back. Pro-family watchdog groups disapprove of surprise LGBT content in reading materials.
The groups help parents advocate for child-appropriate libraries and demand that their parental rights be respected. They want libraries to be a safe place for their children. As per a 2025 survey, “most parents believe they, the parent, should have the final say in what their children read and that they should also be involved in selecting books for school and public libraries."
Further, the library board apparently had more control over content contained in the Rutherford County Library than the ALA, which has no sway when compared to family groups and local library boards.
What have other libraries done?
Many libraries have pulled controversial books from shelves and circulation. The Rutherford County library had intentions of doing this before with other books featuring LGBT themes.
Some libraries have moved books to a different section. For instance, the notorious And Tango Makes Three had been placed in “adult nonfiction” instead of the children’s section in two libraries located in Missouri.
Other libraries opted to lock books up behind a counter, loaning the book when a library user specifically asked for that particular book. One librarian in Llano County, Texas, was directed to lock the revised third edition of Critical Race Theory behind a counter, prompting library users to ask for the book by name to obtain it.
Yet users could still check out the book, as it remained available at the library. Librarians would have been happy to lend the book when needed without looking down on anyone; users only needed to ask.
For disobeying this specific workplace rule, the librarian from Texas, Suzette Baker, was fired, receiving the same treatment as Rutherford County's Luanne James.
Legalese time
The American Library Association website attempts to frame libraries putting unnecessary titles in the children's section more positively:
There are many resources available for parents/guardians to find information on how a book, resource, or other material aligns with their family’s values. Libraries are not responsible for determining the appropriateness of any book, material, or resource for an individual beyond the already existing collection designations. Only parents or guardians should restrict their own children’s access to library materials and services.
This "legalese" represents the ALA saying it is not their fault that the children's section contains inappropriate literature.
Children are not developmentally ready
The Trevor Project released a 2025 survey about how LGBTQ youth responded to anti-LGBT "policies and laws."
Its own statistics state that 90% of these children became stressed out by "anti-LGBTQ laws," 78% said the policies "made them feel unsafe," and 32% wanted to move to another state when their home state added anti-LGBT policies.
The Trevor Project is accepting of LGBT content, and its statistics were originally intended as evidence that society should be more “supportive” of this lifestyle. However, there is another lens through which to view the statistics, another angle from which they can be seen. The statistics suggest that children do not have the emotional maturity to engage with LGBT content or understand its full context. They are not developmentally ready for the confusing, adult issues inherent to the LGBT lifestyle. Moving the books sent a clear message that they were inappropriate for children, who are still growing up.
In a grim twist of irony, Rutherford County Library Alliance Vice President Keri Lambert said children should not have to comb through Fifty Shades of Grey to find these reading materials.
