Tennessee textbook commission hires first staff to prepare for school library book appeals

Lee Houston speaks during a meeting of the Tennessee Textbook and Quality Materials Commission on Nov. 18, 2022, as Chair Linda Cash listens. Houston, who was a school librarian at the time, stepped down from the commission in March to become its first executive director. (Marta W. Aldrich / Chalkbeat) Lee Houston speaks during a meeting of the Tennessee Textbook and Quality Materials Commission on Nov. 18, 2022, as Chair Linda Cash listens. Houston, who was a school librarian at the time, stepped down from the commission in March to become its first executive director. (Marta W. Aldrich / Chalkbeat)

By Marta W. Aldrich / Chalkbeat Tennessee June 1, 2024 8 min read

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Tennessee’s all-volunteer textbook commission is gearing up to consider new challenges to school library books after state lawmakers broadened the definition of what materials are prohibited.

Two years after the Republican-controlled legislature gave the commission broad new appellate powers to decide ultimately which books students can and can’t access in public school libraries, the panel has yet to receive its first case for review.

But that is expected to change. And for the first time, the commission will have its own full-time staff to support its growing workload, led by a recently retired school librarian from Crossville who formerly served on the commission.

Lee Houston, who has 30-plus years of experience as an elementary school teacher, coach and librarian, became the body’s executive director in March.