Launching the Tennessee Freedom to Read Project
The Tennessee Freedom to Read Project is a nonpartisan statewide initiative dedicated to defending the rights of every Tennessean to access public libraries freely, safely, and without political interference.
Public libraries in the state have been ordered to conduct ideologically driven collection reviews tied to President Trump’s Executive Order 14168 by the Secretary of State. These reviews pose a direct threat to the public’s Constitutional right to access information and to read what they want. These closures disrupt essential services, undermine local control, and place librarians under unprecedented political pressure.
The Tennessee Freedom to Read Project (TFRTP) is a statewide organizing hub that opposes censorship-driven library shutdowns, educates and activates the public about these issues, and supports librarians and local library boards as they navigate these challenging political times.
The TFTRP documents, monitors, and challenges state-mandated directives that politicize library services. Our efforts help local communities push back against top-down mandates that target LGBTQ+ readers and materials or aim to impose ideologically narrow definitions of “appropriate” content. We work with free-speech groups, Civil Rights organizations, parent groups, educators, library organizations, and other allies to ensure that Tennessee communities have the support they need to defend the Right to Read
Many Tennesseans are unaware of the reasons behind their libraries' sudden closures, the auditing of shelves, or the targeting of certain books. Tennessee’s library professionals face impossible situations: comply with politically motivated demands or risk funding cuts, retaliation, or public harassment. We build public education and outreach campaigns to ensure that Tennesseans understand what is happening, what is at stake, and how they can take action.
Tennesseans deserve access to a full, diverse collection that reflects the breadth of human experience, including LGBTQ+ stories, racial and cultural diversity, and books that help young people understand themselves and others. Please join us in this effort to restore normal library operations and protect the collections that serve Tennessee’s children, teens, and adults.