Sumner County library work study hears public concerns over flagged titles and weighs parental resource shelf

At a Sumner County libraries work‑study meeting, board members heard sustained public comment asking that books judged by some residents to address transgender topics be removed from children’s sections and placed elsewhere.

Public speakers, including Joanna Venus, told the board that tax dollars should not fund books she described as promoting transgender ideology for children. "I don't believe that tax money should be used for books that have to do with things that go against the foundation of the country," Venus said during public comment. Another attendee cited an executive order that they said directed not spending tax dollars on "transgender items." Jack Elston, a commenter who cited constitutional protections, said the American Medical Association's recent statements address surgical interventions for minors, not social transition, and cautioned against overstating medical guidance.

Board members and library directors framed the discussion as one about collection development and patron protections rather than an immediate removal action. Several directors and board members recommended deferring to the professional judgment of library directors and following the system’s reconsideration and weeding procedures. A library director described existing age‑grouped card policies and local cutoff practices that limit what different age groups can check out: "We put them in their age group — 0 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 — and they can only check out within that group," a director said.

Members discussed a parental resource shelf — a browsable collection that parents could access to find materials on sensitive topics — and noted that some branches already use versions of that approach. Supporters said a parental shelf allows materials to remain available to adults while making them easier for parents to find without placing them in children’s areas. Several board members also emphasized that collection decisions and normal weeding (based on circulation, publication date and topic) are part of librarians' regular duties.

The chair told the board the list under review had been compiled from directors after a letter from Secretary of State Trey Hargett prompted the review; staff agreed to follow up with the Secretary's office to clarify what the state required and to file a note that the board had met to review the list. The board did not take a formal vote during the work study, but members agreed to study the titles, consult library directors, and reconvene for further discussion.

The meeting closed with administrative direction to prepare a response to the Secretary of State and to continue the review with regional library experts providing training and guidance.