Publishers, Freedom to Read Advocates Sound Alarm on Tennessee Plan to Review Library Collections
Critics say the state's sweeping plan to audit library collections for appropriateness has created "widespread confusion, fear, and operational disruption across the state’s public libraries."
More than 30 publishers, library associations, and freedom to read advocacy groups this week have signed on to a letter denouncing Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett's demand that public libraries in the state review their collections for “age-appropriateness” and for compliance with a controversial Trump executive order on gender identity.
"Your demand for a full review of all materials for 'age-appropriateness' within 60 days has created widespread confusion, fear, and operational disruption across the state’s public libraries," the letter warns, adding that such sweeping reviews "create immense administrative burdens for library systems" and often lead to "illegal censorship."
"Tennessee’s public libraries are steadfast guardians of the right to read, serving every member of their communities without prejudice, censorship, or fear. Content reviews create an unnecessary expenditure for ends that are likely unconstitutional," the letter concludes. "Libraries must be guided by directives that respect free speech and constitutional values. Ultimately, the call is clear: the state should support—not hinder—the fundamental freedoms of expression and access to information for all, which define a library’s purpose."
The letter, which is hosted on the PEN America website, seeks "prompt clarification" of Hargett's demands.
Among those signing the letter: the American Library Association, Penguin Random House, the Authors Guild, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster, the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Independent Publishers Caucus, GLAAD, We Need Diverse Books, American Booksellers for Free Expression, EveryLibrary, and Authors Against Book Bans.
Notably, among the Big Five publishers, neither Hachette nor HarperCollins have yet signed on to the letter, nor has the Association of American Publishers.
As Words & Money covered in our November 14 weekly newsletter, local media outlets in the state have reported that several Tennessee libraries planned to temporarily close their doors to review and identify allegedly inappropriate materials, on Hargett's orders. Several libraries in Tennessee have reportedly already closed for such reviews, including the Rutherford County Library System and Linebaugh Public Library.
In his letter to library directors, Hargett ordered library leaders to conduct reviews and provide a final report to state officials by January 19, 2026.
Hamilton Matthew Masters
According to a report in the Nashville Scene, a librarian from the Rutherford County Library System, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the outlet that librarians there were “collectively devastated,” but had no choice but to comply. “It feels like an attack on the profession and on the community, because we have the obligation to represent everyone in our community, regardless of race, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation,” the source added.
In an October 27 letter to library leaders in the state, Hargett specifically singled out one book, Fred Gets Dressed by Peter Brown, telling librarians they will have to "determine whether the book and its purchase comply with president Trump's Executive Order titled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government"—an astonishing development to think that a picture book for preschoolers could trigger a statewide call to action for fear of violating an executive order from the President of the United States.
“Secretary of State Hargett has sowed fear and confusion throughout Tennessee’s public library system with the demands in his letter," said parent and author Christina Soontornvat, the Tennessee state leader of Authors Against Book Bans, in a statement shared by PEN America. "Pressuring libraries to bow to his interpretation of what constitutes 'age appropriateness' and remove books from the shelves en masse tramples on the constitutional rights of Tennesseans.”
“This is the first time in Tennessee history that public libraries have been directed to audit their shelves based on a political directive," said EveryLibrary’s Executive Director John Chrastka, in a statement, stressing that Trump’s executive order on gender identity applies only to federal agencies but Hargett "is choosing to interpret the EO as a justification for pressuring local public libraries to review or remove books.”
In addition to signing the letter EveryLibrary this week also published an issue brief with additional guidance.
"Secretary Hargett is setting a dangerous precedent by placing Tennessee’s state and municipal government under the authority of any Executive Order by any president," the brief notes.
