Public libraries in Tennessee are set to close temporarily to facilitate the removal of books addressing transgender issues. The library systems in Smyrna and Murfreesboro will undergo a complete shutdown to revise their collections. This decision stems from pressure by local officials in Rutherford County to eliminate all literature related to transgender topics, following a directive issued by the state government.
The closures, which are described as emergency measures, will see the Smyrna public library shut down from November 10 to November 15, 2025. Signs posted on the library indicate that it will reopen on November 17, 2025, after inventory reviews are completed. Similarly, the nearby Murfreesboro library is scheduled to temporarily close next week for the same purpose.
This initiative aligns with a letter sent by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett at the end of October. In his letter, Hargett emphasized that library collections should reflect the values of their communities while adhering to federal and state laws regarding age-appropriateness. He noted the responsibility of libraries that receive state and federal funding to comply with these regulations.
Hargett stated, “I cannot allow the actions of one library to potentially harm and impact over 200 other libraries throughout the state.” His directive follows a broader policy initiated by former President Donald Trump, which criticized what was termed “gender ideology extremism.”
Critics of the closures are vocal in their opposition. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has previously condemned attempts to ban gender-related books, asserting that such restrictions infringe upon First Amendment rights, which protect both self-expression and access to information.
Ken Paulson, the director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University and former editor-in-chief of USA Today, expressed strong disapproval of the closures. He described the state’s actions as a significant assault on the public library system. “This is the most aggressive assault on the public library system that I have ever seen,” Paulson remarked. “And it’s totally unjustified by President Trump’s executive order or Tennessee’s past legislation.”
Paulson further asserted that there is a deliberate effort to suppress ideas accessible to young individuals, which he views as a violation of constitutional rights. “Those who are promoting this overreach should be embarrassed. This is as un-American as it gets,” he stated.
The ongoing situation in Tennessee highlights a growing national debate over the role of libraries and the types of materials they can provide. As public discourse around transgender issues continues to evolve, the implications of these library closures resonate beyond the local community, raising questions about access to information and the freedoms of expression in public spaces.
