Executive orders from the state and federal administrations have affected Memphis Public Library operations and displays. City officials said the changes have been implemented out of concern for federal financial backing.
Last week, several community members questioned empty displays at Memphis Public Library locations across the city. These displays coincided with the observance of Banned Books Week.
The city released the following statement to the Flyer regarding community concern:
“Our management team has been working closely with staff to implement the new policy as quickly as possible, as the empty displays have raised questions. This new process marks a change for staff, as it is the first time we’ve required regional manager approval for department and branch displays.
“We’ll continue working with our team to help them understand the importance of the new policy. At the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library, displays are back up. There will be no further comment on library operations. “
While the city said this is a revamp of the approval process, members of the library community say otherwise.
One library manager said they have not been given any specific guidance on what to say to patrons who inquire about displays. Staff was asked to simply tell the community that they are “revamping the book display procedures,” which the manager said isn’t exactly true.
“Revamping would be along the lines of ‘Oh, there’s a better way to do it. Maybe we could do the same theme all across the building,” — those types of things,” the manager said. “Telling [patrons] that it’s revamping is very obscure and comes very close to telling us point-blank to lie.”
The manager said they and other library staff are public servants and take that duty seriously.
“What we’re concerned about is that the citizens of Memphis have as much access as possible to information — including displays, including programming,” a library manager said. “If they don’t, democracy is weakened.”
The Flyer obtained a recording of an October 3rd meeting between city and library staff regarding state and federal executive orders.
“Trump’s executive order prohibits DEI in the workplace,” Chris Allen, human resource compliance officer said in the recording. “Essentially any facilities or resources that appear to prohibit all are considered discriminatory. Even if it says it’s open to all.”
In an email from the city’s human resources department, library staff were made aware of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s memo to all federal agencies.
“On January 20, 2025, the President issued an Executive Order prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the workplace, which was followed by guidance from the U.S. Attorney General’s Office,” the memo said. “This includes having facilities or resources that may “facially discourage” access by suggesting that they target a specific group (by race, gender, or other protected identities), even if they are “open to all.”
The email also referenced House Bill 0622, which prohibits DEI in public workplaces.
“This law prohibits using ‘discriminatory preferences based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any other demographic characteristic’ in connection with any benefits, opportunities, policies, practices, or requirements,” the email said.
Allen said that because the city receives federal funding, it must comply with executive orders. He said this means that the city, along with library branches, could be investigated to see if they are compliant.
Allen informed library staff that the city has received complaints about the library “and/or advertising,” and that anything they post could be sent to a compliance officer.
While the libraries do not function solely on federal funding, Allen added that a “chunk” of this funding is used to pay employees. Allen asked library staff to “support the approval process, even if they don’t agree.”
“Right now it’s not about what we agree with, it’s about what we are doing to remain compliant to keep the funding that we have been receiving,” Allen said. “We have to comply and we need your support.”
Library staff could be “reprimanded, up to and including termination” for failure to comply, Allen added.
“If you’re looking for me to give you a blanket statement on what is okay, that won’t happen today,” Allen said. “If you follow the approval process, where [we’re having] everything legally reviewed and then we could provide guided support.”
The city has not responded for comment.