RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS) — A local advocacy group is encouraging residents across Rutherford County to attend the upcoming Rutherford County Library System board meeting later this month as debate continues over potential book restrictions within the county’s public libraries.
The Rutherford County Library Alliance (RCLA) announced plans to gather community members at the Rutherford County Courthouse in downtown Murfreesboro on March 16, asking supporters to “pack the room” before and during the Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) Board meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. Participants are expected to begin gathering outside the meeting room starting at 4 p.m.
RCLA describes itself as a grassroots organization made up of Rutherford County residents who support open access to information in the public library system. The group says it is organizing the turnout to voice opposition to efforts they believe could lead to book bans across the county’s seven public libraries.
Tatiana Silvas, a spokesperson quoted in the announcement, said a large crowd at the previous February meeting helped slow proposed actions that could have restricted hundreds of titles.
According to the organization, the library board previously reviewed recommendations from library staff regarding roughly 2,700 books that had been flagged for potential review. Silvas said the board ultimately accepted the staff’s recommendations during the February meeting. However, she noted that board members also discussed creating their own list of titles that could face additional restrictions at a future meeting.
Members of the alliance say they want to see continued reliance on professional library staff when it comes to book selection and access decisions. They are also calling for transparent discussions about governance decisions involving the county’s public library system.
Among the priorities outlined by the organization are continued cooperation with the American Library Association, maintaining access to reading materials that reflect the entire community, and ensuring decision-making aligns with constitutional protections surrounding access to information.
What the RCLA Wants The Rutherford County Library Alliance would like to see the following:
- Continued membership in and guidance from the American Library Association
- Reliance on professional library staff to make decisions on book selection and access
- Reading material access that reflects the entire community
- Transparent and public discussion by the RCLS Board of Directors regarding all aspects of their governance of the RCLS, and
- Adherence to the United States Constitution in all decision-making in our public libraries, recognizing the right to access information and personal decision making without retribution.
Supporters of the initiative say public libraries play an important role in providing resources and knowledge for the entire community.
“Our public libraries are a cornerstone of American culture,” Silvas said in the statement, adding that community members should have a voice in how the library system operates.
The group is also encouraging residents to contact members of the Rutherford County Library System Board of Directors, as well as local and state officials, to express their views regarding the ongoing discussion surrounding library materials.
In addition to the March 16 meeting, the organization announced a community event scheduled for March 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Walnut House in downtown Murfreesboro, where participants will write postcards encouraging residents to attend the upcoming board meeting. Organizers say the event is being held in partnership with the ACLU.
The Rutherford County Library Alliance was founded in 2023 following the passage of Rutherford County’s “Decency Ordinance” (Ordinance 23-0-22) and states its mission is to support intellectual freedom and unrestricted access to information within the county’s public library system.
Library board meetings are open to the public, and residents who wish to attend the March meeting can do so at the Rutherford County Courthouse on the downtown Murfreesboro square.
About Rutherford County Library Alliance: Founded in 2023 in response to the “Decency Ordinance” (Ordinance 23-0-22), the Rutherford County Library Alliance is dedicated to safeguarding the principles of 4 intellectual freedom and unrestricted access to information within the public library system of Rutherford County, Tennessee. Our mission is rooted in unwavering support for the dedicated local library staff, as well as a steadfast commitment to fostering kindness and empathy for all individuals, while vehemently opposing any form of censorship within our community.
