GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Sumner County’s library board has delayed a controversial decision about their book selection. 

The board of appointees has considered a sweeping overhaul of their collection policy, among other operations, across all five public libraries. The changes would give more say to the library board itself and restrict the content allowed on library shelves.

The last time Sumner County’s library board convened was for a special-called meeting in late April. That meeting lasted just over an hour. Wednesday’s meeting, which was moved inside the county commission chambers due to the size of the crowd, went on for almost three hours. Over a dozen people spoke, all in opposition to the change in policies.

“I really urge you to just throw out these changes — these things that truly bring out the worst in people,” said one speaker to a roaring applause. 

“I’m grossly concerned about the removal of language requiring multiple viewpoints and the removal of the phrase ‘constitutionally protected,’ as well as the blatant transphobia of this document,” added another. 

Local law enforcement officials were on-site, and a few attendees were kicked out or walked out. Board chair Joanna Daniels added more changes to the proposal — ones that her fellow board members were allegedly not aware of ahead of time.

“I would not say that this [was] a typical library board meeting. What we saw were members of the community who came together and showed that what the library board is doing was not what they wanted," Megan Lange, a former employee of Sumner County’s library system, said.

Daniels told the crowd Wednesday that there are “misconceptions” around what their board does, and why. She thanked all in attendance for caring about their libraries. Previously, she's explained that these changes are about restricting a minor’s access to possibly inappropriate materials in compliance with state law. It is not a ‘book ban,’ according to her. 

“There has been, over the last year, all this confusion — which I’m not sure why there’s confusion because the TCA code specifically states how to handle this,” Daniels said during a policy meeting in early April.

Yet, the public still wants the board to be more open about what they’re doing.  

“I believe that there is some idea of the library board — that we will get tired, and that we will not be back, and I am here to say that we will back because this is critical to the function of our libraries,” Lange added.

News 2 contacted Daniels directly and emailed the entirety of the library board for comment. As of publication, there has been no response.

Other key elements of these proposed bylaws include new rules for how Sumner County libraries can fundraise and accept donations, the complete removal of the current appeals policy for removed materials, and a new section on "transgender or gender confusing" materials.

The library board ultimately pushed their vote on the new bylaws to their next meeting, which has been scheduled for July 9.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/sumner-co-library-board-delays-policy-change-vote/