The Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) board has chosen a new executive director, and in the same week its former director took her dispute with the board to federal court.
The board voted unanimously on September 21, 2026 to offer the job to Heath Lee, and two days later, on September 23, former executive director Luanne James filed a federal lawsuit against the library system and members of its board over her firing in March.
Heath Lee Named Executive Director
Board Chairman Sam Huddleston told The Daily News Journal that Lee accepted the position at a starting salary of $129,000 a year and will start by early November. Lee has served since March 2020 as director of the Mountain Regional Library System in northeast Georgia, according to the Daily News Journal, citing his resume and online records.
The September 21 meeting agenda shows the hiring package also includes up to $6,000 in relocation reimbursement and $500 a year for job-related professional dues and memberships, the newspaper reported.
Lee succeeds interim director David Coutcher, who was appointed after James's termination. WGNS reported that Coutcher had worked for the library system for nearly 16 years as its human resources and finance manager.
Huddleston also told the Daily News Journal that the board has spent about $250,000 to replace the flooring at Linebaugh Public Library, the first flooring upgrade there since 1992, and has added a second bookmobile to reach underserved parts of the county farther from the branches in Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Eagleville, particularly areas west of Interstate 24.
Former Director Luanne James Files Federal Lawsuit
James filed suit on Wednesday, September 23, in the U.S. District Court in Nashville, according to WGNS, WSMV and the Daily News Journal. The complaint names the library system and members of its board. WSMV reported that eight board members are named individually.
The lawsuit alleges that her March termination violated her civil rights, employment discrimination protections and First Amendment rights, according to WGNS and WSMV. It seeks unspecified economic damages, including back pay, front pay and lost benefits; compensatory damages for emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience and mental anguish; and attorney fees and costs.
WPLN reported that the complaint alleges former board chair Cody York had a history of bias against LGBTQ people, sought the removal of books with gay or transgender characters before joining the board, and, after joining in January 2023, flagged books that used phrases such as "nonbinary teens," "diversity and inclusion" and "gay rights movement." James has also said York directed her to compile a list of patrons who checked out books with LGBTQ+ themes, which she refused. York has denied any wrongdoing. These are allegations that have not been tested in court.
James told WSMV, "The movement of the children's books to the adult section was a form of viewpoint discrimination." She added that she believes it is a parent's choice what a child reads. Her legal team told WSMV the case could be lengthy.
WSMV reported that the board's current leadership and the eight board members named as defendants were contacted about the lawsuit and had not responded. No public response from the board to the lawsuit had been reported as of September 25.
Background: The Children's Book Dispute
On March 16, 2026, the board voted 8 to 3 to direct that a group of books be moved from the children's section to the adult section, according to the Daily News Journal. Reports differ on the count: WGNS and WSMV put the number at 132 books, while the Daily News Journal and WPLN described it as more than 100. James has said a majority of the titles involved LGBTQ+ subjects. Board members who supported the relocation maintained that the materials were inappropriate for children, according to WGNS and WSMV.
In a March 18 email to the board, later obtained by the Daily News Journal, James wrote that carrying out the directive "would violate the First Amendment right of all citizens of Rutherford County and myself."
The board fired James by an 8 to 3 vote on March 30, 2026, after roughly 120 days on the job, WGNS reported. Supporters of James and supporters of the board both spoke during the public debate over her firing, which drew large crowds to the Rutherford County Courthouse this spring, according to WPLN. WPLN also noted that the dispute followed an October 2025 directive from Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett asking library leadership to review children's materials for age-appropriateness.
Library Services Continue
Rutherford County's library branches remain open with regular programming. Upcoming events at Linebaugh Public Library include Saturday Storytime at Linebaugh on September 26, a book signing with local author Amy Shaw on October 3, and READing Paws at Linebaugh on October 5, where young readers read aloud to a trained Reading Education Assistance Dog. Find branch information in our Murfreesboro library guide and Smyrna library guide, and read about the 2026 voter guide for Rutherford County for other local government news.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new director of the Rutherford County Library System?
Heath Lee, who has led the Mountain Regional Library System in northeast Georgia since March 2020, accepted the RCLS executive director job after a unanimous board vote on September 21, 2026. He is expected to start by early November.
How much will the new Rutherford County library director be paid?
According to Board Chairman Sam Huddleston, Lee's starting salary is $129,000 per year, plus up to $6,000 in relocation reimbursement and $500 a year for professional dues.
Why did Luanne James sue the Rutherford County Library board?
James alleges her March 2026 firing violated her civil rights, employment discrimination protections and First Amendment rights. She was fired after refusing a board directive to move a group of books, most of which she said involved LGBTQ+ subjects, from the children's section to the adult section.
Why was the Rutherford County library director fired?
The board voted 8 to 3 on March 30, 2026 to fire James after she declined to carry out its March 16 directive to relocate the books. Board members who supported the move said the materials were inappropriate for children.
Where was the Luanne James lawsuit filed?
The lawsuit was filed September 23, 2026 in the U.S. District Court in Nashville, naming the Rutherford County Library System and members of its board.
Sources: WGNS Radio, The Daily News Journal via Yahoo News, WSMV, WPLN News.