Library Research - Protecting Our Youth
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On February 25, 2026, the Jackson Madison County Library issued its decision regarding the 46 reconsideration requests submitted by concerned citizens on January 9, 2026. The library determined that none of the books challenged met the legal definition of “obscene” under Tennessee obscenity statutes.
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As a result of this review:
• 37 books were relocated from the Youth and Young Adult sections to the Main Adult library area
• 5 books were already located in the Adult section
• 2 books remain in the Youth or Young Adult sections
This information was communicated in the minutes of the February 25, 2026 library board meeting.
We are grateful for this step, which reduces casual access for minors. We also appreciate the revised library card policy for youth and teens that was implemented during this process.
After four months of careful and often difficult research, the citizens who filed reconsideration requests have decided not to pursue further appeals. However, we believe the information gathered during this process should remain available for the community.
Why This Information Is Being Shared
This research was conducted by private citizens who were concerned about sexually explicit material located in areas of the library accessible to minors.
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While several of the researchers are members of We the People of West Tennessee, this work was carried out by individuals acting as concerned citizens. The information is shared on this website because it aligns with the organization’s mission of education and civic engagement as Christian constitutional patriots.
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Our goal has never been to remove anyone’s right to read. Adults remain free to access any material they choose. Rather, we believe taxpayer funded institutions should exercise wisdom and stewardship when determining what materials are placed in areas accessible to minors.
Remaining Concerns
Although most of the challenged books were moved to the Adult section, they remain accessible within the library building.
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The library allows any patron to read materials inside the facility without checking them out. Because of this, minors may still access books located in the adult collection.
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For this reason, many citizens believe additional safeguards such as clearly designated adult only areas for explicit materials would better reflect community standards and parental expectations.
Legal Background
Questions about these materials are often discussed in the context of federal and Tennessee law regarding obscene material and material considered harmful to minors.
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For readers who wish to understand the legal framework involved, we have provided a short summary of the relevant constitutional standards and Tennessee statutes.
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Book Research Archive
During this process, citizens documented examples of explicit content found in a number of books located in youth accessible areas of the library.
To provide transparency, one page research summaries were created for each book reviewed. These summaries include selected excerpts, page references, and links to additional documentation.
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What Parents Should Know About Library Materials
Public libraries serve people of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. Because of this broad mission, libraries often carry materials intended for many different audiences.
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Many parents assume that books located in youth or teen sections have already been screened for age appropriateness. However, library policies sometimes emphasize unrestricted access to information, which can result in materials with mature themes being available in areas accessible to minors.
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For this reason, many parents are choosing to take a more active role in understanding what materials may be available to their children.
Helpful Steps for Parents
Become familiar with your library’s policies.
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Most libraries publish policies regarding:
• youth library cards
• parental responsibility for borrowed materials
• book reconsideration procedures
• collection development policies
Understanding these policies can help parents make informed decisions about their children's access to library materials.
Talk with your children about what they are reading.
Open communication is one of the most important tools parents have. Asking children about the books they are reading and discussing themes or content together can help guide healthy decision making.
Review books and resources when possible.
If a book raises concerns, parents can research it using publicly available resources that document book content and themes.
One example used during the Madison County review process is:
Sites like this compile excerpts and summaries to help readers better understand the content of a book before deciding whether it is appropriate for their family.
Know that you can participate in the process.
Most public libraries allow citizens to submit reconsideration requests when they believe a book may be inappropriate for a certain section of the library.
This process allows community members to raise questions and participate respectfully in discussions about library collections.
A Thought for Families
Every family has different values and expectations regarding what is appropriate for children. Thoughtful parents, educators, and community members can work together to ensure that public institutions remain places of learning, growth, and respect for community standards.
Biblical Reflection
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Matthew 18:6
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Documentation and Sources
The information presented on these pages is supported by publicly available documents and research gathered during the reconsideration process.
Sources referenced throughout this project include:
• Jackson Madison County Library Board meeting minutes
• Reconsideration requests submitted January 9, 2026
• Tennessee obscenity statutes (TCA § 39-17-901 and related sections)
• Tennessee Secretary of State correspondence regarding juvenile material review
• Research resources including RatedBooks.org and other public documentation
• Commentary and research regarding the effects of explicit media on youth
Supporting documents and research summaries are available through the links provided on this page.
Research Disclaimer
The information presented on these pages is provided for educational and informational purposes. The research summaries and excerpts are drawn from publicly available sources and are presented so that citizens may review and evaluate the material for themselves.
The views expressed reflect the opinions of the individual citizens who conducted the research and do not necessarily represent the official position of any organization or public official.