Sumner County library board hears mass public opposition to policy targeting transgender-related materials; chair defends actions

More than a dozen residents spoke at the Aug. 13 Sumner County Library Board meeting, urging the board not to adopt language they say would remove or restrict library materials addressing transgender people and identities.

Public commenters described a range of concerns. Jessie McKinney said the proposed policy “is discriminating against transgender people” and warned that civil-rights groups are watching and prepared to pursue legal action. Jean Myers, a teacher of 30 years, said, “I've never found a book that turns someone gay just like I've never seen a book turn someone straight,” and urged the board not to “pass judgment on what's appropriate for children.” Dr. Emma Diaz, a mental-health professional and co‑owner of a bookshop, said she had found “no credible research studies … that show that books with transgender information are harmful to kids,” and warned that banning materials can increase harms to LGBTQ youth.

Board members discussed legal and procedural aspects of the proposed changes at length. The chair repeatedly cited Tennessee law (referred to during the meeting as the TCA) while defending the board’s authority to determine library collections. The board also cited a recent appeals-court decision during remarks; a speaker referred to the case as “Little versus Mono County” and described the court as concluding that library collection choices constitute government speech. The county attorney told the board that a written opinion had been provided indicating that collection decisions fall within the library board’s purview, but the attorney did not recommend whether the policy would withstand court scrutiny.

After extended debate the board voted 5–3 to call the question and end debate. Later in the meeting members recorded a 5–3 vote to approve a policy amendment; the transcript records the tally and a reference by the chair to removing certain references described in the meeting as “5 and 7,” but the meeting transcript does not clearly name the specific policy text changed. The chair said the board had removed references to the American Library Association from its policies and emphasized that the board’s authority comes from state law.

In remarks that occupied a substantial portion of the meeting, the library board chair defended her record and described administrative and governance disputes that have shaped recent months. The chair said she was appointed in November 2022 and described ongoing controversy over appointments, board size and personnel procedures. She said the board has authority to hire and fire library directors, that employees may bring complaints about directors to the board, and that the county commissioners lack the authority to change library policy unless a separate legal conflict exists.

Board members and staff also discussed other agenda items including candidate interviews for branch director positions (candidates for Westmoreland and Hendersonville were named in the discussion), a proposed fundraising-accountability policy for Friends groups, and scheduling adjustments for upcoming meetings and trustee training. Several speakers urged timely hiring for the understaffed Hendersonville branch; others defended accountability for branch fundraising. The chair said some Friends fundraising practices had raised accountability questions and that the board was seeking clearer procedures.

The meeting record shows substantial public engagement and repeated warnings from speakers about potential legal challenges if the board adopts policies that, in their view, exclude transgender-related materials. The county attorney’s representation that the decision is within the board’s authority—without a legal prediction about likely court outcomes—left the possibility of litigation open.

The board did not, in the portions of the public transcript provided, publish the full revised policy text or a complete roll-call vote on the collection-policy amendment; the meeting record shows the 5–3 tallies but does not capture detailed final wording. Several speakers asked the board to delay or decline adoption until legal implications and policy language were clarified.