Several public libraries in Tennessee are facing temporary closures to remove books on transgender issues from their collections. The public library systems in Smyrna and Murfreesboro will halt operations to update their inventory, following a push from local officials in Rutherford County. This decision aligns with a recent directive aimed at ensuring compliance with state laws and federal mandates, including an executive order from former President Donald Trump concerning “gender ideology extremism.”
The Smyrna public library has already been closed since November 10, 2025, due to an “EMERGENCY CLOSURE NOTICE.” Signs posted at the library indicate it will remain closed until November 15, 2025, for the purpose of reviewing its inventory. The Murfreesboro library is scheduled for a similar closure next week to conduct its own inventory review.
Both municipalities are responding to a letter issued by Tre Hargett, Tennessee’s Secretary of State, which emphasized that library collections should reflect community values. Hargett stated, “Library decisions should be shaped by the values of the library’s community,” highlighting the importance of compliance with state and federal funding regulations from the Tennessee State Library & Archives.
The letter further specified that libraries must ensure all materials are appropriate for their intended age groups and comply with relevant laws. Hargett noted the potential negative impact on multiple libraries should one library fail to adhere to these guidelines.
The move to remove books addressing transgender topics has drawn criticism from various advocacy groups. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression previously opposed these efforts, arguing that such restrictions violate the First Amendment by limiting access to information and self-expression. Their letter stated, “These principles apply to restrictions on both self-expression and access to information.”
Ken Paulson, 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. “This is the most aggressive assault on the public library system that I have ever seen,” Paulson remarked. He argued that the closures are unwarranted and do not align with the principles of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Paulson added, “There is a concerted effort to hide ideas from young people. That is a violation of the First Amendment, and those who are promoting this overreach should be embarrassed. This is as un-American as it gets.”
As these developments unfold, the implications for public access to diverse literature remain a critical concern for advocates of free expression and library autonomy. The closures in Tennessee may serve as a significant case study in the ongoing national conversation about censorship and the role of libraries in promoting a wide range of ideas and perspectives.