Tennessee public libraries are launching an “immediate age-appropriateness review” of children’s and teens’ books following a state government directive, with some calling the plan “anti-public-library.”

The plan came to light after three letters were sent to the Stones River Regional Library system by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. The Stones River system includes multiple public libraries in Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Moore, Rutherford, Trousdale, Warren and Wilson counties.

An Oct. 31 letter from Hargett requested that each library “undertake an immediate age-appropriateness review (over the next 60 days) of all materials in your juvenile children's section.” The review aims to “identify any materials that may be inconsistent with Tennessee age-appro

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