TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Dec 1, 2025

Book publishers and literary groups are challenging Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s directive for public libraries to audit children’s collections and report on any books that include gender identity concepts. More than 30 groups have signed a letter expressing “profound concern” about the effort. They also argue that a presidential executive order, which Hargett cites in his directive, should regulate only federal agencies. Hargett has asked libraries that receive state or federal grant funds to make an “age-appropriate” review of books and file final reports by Jan. 19, 2026. He says the review is necessary based on the state's new Dismantling DEI Departments Act, and encourages libraries with questions to contact their county attorney. According to the Tennessee Lookout, some libraries have had to shut down temporarily to conduct the assessment.