Amid Tennessee's ongoing battle over book bans, one Middle Tennessee library is pushing back against what it calls false narratives.
On July 21, the Putnam County Library issued a statement responding to claims circulating on social media and clarified its policies and procedures after the Putnam County Commission voted in a controversial decision to appoint two new members to the library board.
"We adhere to all the regulations, the library service agreements. We respond immediately to public input and have done always," Library Director Kathryn Wisinger told The Tennessean by phone July 24.
"We really are and always have been a solution," she added. "And that we would like to continue all that work."
In the statement, library officials said the system
has received no formal book challenges since August 2025.
They added that none of the titles that have been at the center of recent debates have been formally challenged. According to the library, individuals who have labeled the titles as "pornography" have neither visited the library to review the material nor submitted a Request for Consideration form.
However, officials noted that a small number of young adult titles have been reviewed and determined to be more appropriate for adult readers because of mature content, resulting in their relocation to the adult section.
The library went on to say that it has not returned any previously recategorized books to their former sections.
"We take the evaluation of age-appropriate materials more seriously than patrons, not less. This is our job, this is our livelihood," read the statement. "We follow the standards set out by the Library of Congress regarding book placement and our own policies and procedures regarding book challenges, like every other public library in the nation."
"We absolutely make mistakes but we never cease striving to improve and we never perform our work as a means to make a statement about our individual beliefs," continued the statement.
"We separate our personal and professional lives, as should anyone who serves the public."
Book bans and challenges have become an ongoing flashpoint in Tennessee, including in Putnam County.
Earlier this year, the Putnam County Public Library was among 181 libraries across 91 Tennessee counties that received letters from the secretary of state requesting a full audit of juvenile collections to ensure they aligned withTrump administration standardson gender-related topics.
Here's what else to know.
Library director pushes back on misinformation claims, defends review process
Wisinger said misinformation circulating in the community has diminished some of the work the library staff has done and created misconceptions about its operations.
She noted that the library regularly reviews its collection, but said the process is part of routine collection management. With nearly 70,000 items in the collection, she said review of materials is an ongoing responsibility.
She also highlihgted the library's request for reconsideration form as the appropriate avenue for community members who have concerns about specific titles. Through that process, staff can review a challenged item and determine how to proceed.
Wisinger also addressed concerns about children's safety. "All we do is work to be a safe, positive environment for children," she said.
"We've always been doing that work. We've always created a wonderful environment for our families here in our communities," Wisinger continued. "What we ask and what we invite people to do is come into the library and talk to us, and find out why we're a solution."
Looking ahead, Wisinger said she hopes residents gain a stronger understanding of the library's role in Putnam County and continue supporting it as an important community resource.
The library is currently undergoing an expansion project funded by a nearly $2 million grant awarded in 2025. The project includes the installation of a new public elevator, which Wisinger said will significantly improve accessibility in the aging building.
Putnam County Commission bypasses library board recommendation
In June, the Putnam County Commission voted to appoint two members to the Putnam County Library Board following resident concerns surrounding what they described as sexually explicit material in the library's collection.
During discussion prior to the vote, commissioners voiced concerns about books they said contained sexually explicit content. Commissioners also expressed the belief that such materials should be restricted and only accessible to minors with the consent of a parent or other adult.
In response to the concerns raised over the past year, the library implemented several measures aimed at addressing community feedback.
Three nominees were considered for the two open trustee positions: Gail Myers, Gerri Reese and Maryleigh Bucher.
The library board recommended Myers and Reese for appointment. However, when commissioners cast their votes, a majority selected Myers and Bucher instead. Myers received 24 votes, Bucher received 21 votes, and Reese received three votes.
Thirteen votes were required for appointment.
Commission vote draws criticism from library supporters
The commission's decision sparked criticism on social media, with some accusing commissioners of disregarding the library board's recommendation.
"They ignored the actual library board’s recommendation and went with the choice pushed by the same crowd that has turned children’s books into their latest election-year panic button," one Facebookuser wrote. "This was not leadership. This was cowardice in a Sunday suit."
Putnam County mayoral candidate Ryan Dalton also criticized the decision, arguing that a "relatively small faction" of the community has spent the past year pressuring the library to adopt its religious and moral views. Dalton said those efforts have extended beyond disputes over books and library policies and now appear to be targeting the board itself.
"A public library cannot function that way. It does not belong to one church, one ideology, one political party, or one definition of morality," he continued. "It belongs to the entire community."
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Middle Tennessee library pushes back on false claims about book challenges: 'This is our livelihood'
