UPDATED: MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) — The Rutherford County Library System Executive Committee met at the County Courthouse on Monday to address the now-vacant library executive director position. Following last week’s abrupt termination of Executive Director Luanne James, the system must now appoint an interim director while launching a search for a permanent replacement—marking the second executive director search within the past 12 months.

The decision to end the contract with Director James was reached at a March RCLS board meeting... Board Member Beth Duffield introduced the motion for termination. The motion was later amended to allow Board Member Lynn Reynolds to participate in the search process as the executive committee begins the hunt for James’s successor.

In an effort to better understand how future candidates may be evaluated upon submitting their resume to the committee, WGNS revisited Ms. James’ final interview, which took place just 10 months ago. During that interview—where Board Chair Cody York participated via Zoom—James was asked how she would handle a situation involving a well-connected library patron demanding that a book be removed from library shelves...

Unclear Future: It remains unclear how many applicants will pursue the executive director position, particularly given that the most recent director held the role for only 120 days. Many experienced library professionals may view such a brief tenure as a potential red flag, possibly discouraging qualified candidates and complicating the search process.

The immediate priority for the RCLS Executive Committee and board is to appoint an interim leader to stabilize operations before the system drifts off course.

At this point, the executive committee has identified four internal candidates to guide the system through the coming months while a nationwide search is conducted. Keep in mind that even during what has been described as a “custodial” period, one directive remains unchanged at this point: the interim director will be expected to oversee the relocation of approximately 130 children’s books into more mature sections of the library.

During Monday’s meeting, committee members listed and discussed the following interim candidates:

1. David Coutcher, who currently oversees human resources and finance

2. Administrative Assistant Elsa Britt

3. Smyrna Branch Manager Cassandra Taylor

4. Linebaugh Branch Manager Mindy Barrett

All four candidates are current employees within the Rutherford County Library System, and officials plan to contact each individual to determine their willingness to serve in the temporary role. However, stepping into the position may present challenges, particularly if difficult decisions could carry professional risks that include jobloss.

Board Chair York described the role as largely administrative—focused on maintaining day-to-day operations, managing finances, and avoiding major policy shifts while the board searches for permanent leadership. The interim period is expected to last at least four months. York said, “This is someone who is going to keep the bills paid, lights on and keep the train moving.”

As reported over the past few months, the prior and once again current selection process has not been without controversy. The Rutherford County Library Alliance, a nonprofit organization that has voiced opposition to book relocations, or removals, expressed concern that the top two candidates may not meet the qualifications typically expected of a library director, even in an interim capacity. Their concerns follow closely behind the board’s decision to terminate Ms. James after she declined to move the 130+ children’s books—several of which include LGBTQ character roles or themes—into sections that are more-so visited by adults, as opposed to children. At the same time, many questions continue to revolve around the selection of books on the so called list, questions that have yet to be fully answered. 

Slippery Slope: It’s a slippery slope for any public library to remove books from its shelves for any reason, as it first and foremost creates the appearance of violating First Amendment principles and the foundational commitment to intellectual freedom. Once books are removed because their subject matter may be favorable to one person but disliked by another, where is the line drawn to determine whose opinion matters more? At what point is that line crossed in deciding whose views on life, religion, freedom, or beliefs in general hold greater value than another’s? It also opens the door to a quiet but powerful notion: “If you can have that book removed from the library, then I can have this book removed from the shelves.”

One resident who openly disagrees with some of the subject matter in the books slated to be moved has already pointed out that relocating books from one area to another—especially farther from a reader’s level—is an equally slippery slope. "Making books harder to find is nearly the same as hiding them, and that is nearly the same as removing them," the community member told WGNS. 

This, of course, raises another question some are asking: “If a parent takes their child to the library to pick out a new book to check out or read, shouldn’t that parent be present to help guide their child?” Outings of this nature can be valuable learning experiences when handled appropriately, rather than opportunities for negative influence."

The Search Must Go On: Despite calls for stability, the directive to relocate the materials that are at the center of the contract termination for Ms. James remain in place, continuing to shape both public discourse and internal decision-making within the library system.

As the community continues to watch developments unfold, the Rutherford County Library System now enters a transitional phase—one marked by temporary leadership, ongoing tension, and decisions that could have long-term implications for the future of public libraries in the county and perhaps, throughout the nation.

4 Months Prior: About 4-months before Ms. James was fired, she was asked before the library board... After a long pause, James responded affirmatively when asked if she had concerns... Before continuing, the library director asked a carefully worded question seeking protection for what she was about to disclose...

Before Ms. James could continue during the November 2025 meeting, RCLS Board Member Allison Belt interjected to clarify that whistleblower protections applied... Mr. York, the Chair of the RCLS board, questioned what the whistleblower designation meant in this context... Ms. James then intervened, citing policy protections afforded to whistleblowers...

A board member then noted that retaliation could be implicit, not just explicit...

With whistleblower protections acknowledged, Ms. James detailed her early interactions with Board Chair York, including one-on-one meetings shortly after she relocated from South Carolina to Murfreesboro to assume leadership of the library system....

Fast forward to today, Ms. James is no longer employed by the library and a community fundraiser is underway to help ease her transition. 

GoFundMe Started for Former Library Executive Director: Since Ms. James’ contract was cut short, local residents have shown their support for her stance on not moving or removing any books from the library by contributing to a GoFundMe fundraiser that launched this past week. The fundraiser has already surpassed its original goal and continues to climb, now reaching just over $127,000 as of early Tuesday morning, April 7, 2026. To date, over 3,000 people have contributed to the fund, which is earmarked for the former Executive Director of the Rutherford County Library System.

James spent a total of 120 days as Executive Director of the local library system, which includes at least four locations in Murfreesboro—among them the Historical Research Center—along with one branch in Smyrna and another in Eagleville. A bookmobile also falls under the system’s operations, and a newly refurbished unit is expected to return to the area soon after undergoing an overhaul in East Tennessee.

Prior to her start in Rutherford County, Ms. James relocated from Fort Mill, South Carolina, where she worked with the York County Public Library System. There, she managed the grant program, oversaw systemwide statistical collection, and helped develop and update the library system’s strategic plan. While her tenure in Murfreesboro was brief, her career spans more than 25 years in public library service, including previous director roles in both South Carolina and Texas.

• Hear comments made by members of the community, who shared their thoughts prior to the official termination, at the past board meeting HERE.