GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — A controversial collection policy is back under consideration in Sumner County.

On Wednesday, the library board in Sumner County reviewed an overhaul of what materials are allowed on shelves in each of their five public libraries. They previously tabled the policy change back in May.

“We believe that libraries are the ones that should be making these decisions. We are not willing to let this First Amendment right violation pass without resistance,” said Megan Lange, a local library advocate and chair for the Sumner County Democratic Party.  

The policy change would give the library board total authority in “curating” the collection items in libraries and remove any materials that could be seen as inappropriate for children, like anything with transgender or gender-fluid themes, or sexual content. 

An appeals process for materials was put back into the proposed policy, but all book appeals would have to go through the board itself. 

In their last meeting on July 3, library board chair, Joanna Daniels, said “the buck stops with us” when it comes to book collections.

“It could impair state funding [for our libraries] as well,” said Daniels. “It is extremely important that we are compliant with state laws.”

The discussion comes as the board itself has been at odds in recent months over key decisions, like appointing library directors, or how their libraries can fundraise. 

“They’re taking away the ability of our trained librarians to make decisions about their own library collections, based on the needs of the public they are serving,” added Lange. “I believe that our library board should be held accountable to doing things that actually serve the community, not just serve their own interests. 

Daniels did not respond to News 2’s request for comment on Wednesday, July 9.

Lange believes that Daniels will not stop until this new policy is passed. She, and other residents, think this is barreling towards legal intervention. 

“If this policy passes, we are highly likely to see state level or national level lawsuits brought against it,” said Lange. 

Sumner County’s library board meeting began around 3:30 pm. This article will be updated once the meeting concludes. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/controversial-book-policy-up-for-debate-again-in-sumner-county/