Smyrna resident urges independent probe after library director alleges board chair pressured book removals

Paul Adams told the Smyrna Town Council during public comment that he is concerned by recent reports that the Rutherford County Library Board chairman, Cody York, pressured Library Director Lou Ann James to remove books and sought personal information about library users.

"She reported that he checked out books long enough for them to be marked as lost and then push for these lost titles to be removed," Adams said, and he added that the chairman "requested personal information about library users such as myself and others who may be here tonight, including names, addresses, how many children are in the household, and our checkout history." Adams said those actions, if true, "could fall under official misconduct in Tennessee law and would be a major breach of trust." He asked the council to "call for a full independent investigation into the conduct of chairman York."

Adams identified himself as a Smyrna resident and a retired U.S. Navy veteran who has worked in libraries. He said he lives within the town limits and closed his three-minute public-comment period by urging transparency and accountability for library staff and patrons.

The remarks were made during the council’s public-comment period; no town staff responded with a substantive update during the meeting. The council did not take a formal vote or issue a statement at the workshop about Adams' request. Adams’ account cites a report he said came from Library Director Lou Ann James; the council meeting transcript records Adams’ allegation but does not include a direct public response from Ms. James or Chairman York at the workshop.

The council did invite Adams to consider applying to serve on town boards and committees at a later appointment cycle.