Why These Librarians Are Running for State Political Office–And You Should, Too: Book Censorship News, May 1, 2026

Current job/previous job: Former Regional Manager, Nashville Public Library

Website/Social Media Links:
https://www.lindseyfortn.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lindseypatrickwright
https://substack.com/@lindseyfortn https://www.facebook.com/share/1CkesKrwbf/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.tiktok.com/@lindseypatright?_r=1&_t=ZT-95jXajcq6kn

Election day: November 3, 2026

What inspired you to run for state legislature?

After speaking out against the book ban at a local school board meeting, I was forced to run. This unexpectedly resonated beyond our community. The moment went viral, but what mattered more was what happened on the ground. In areas with large conservative populations, teachers, parents, librarians and others who felt they were quietly fighting this battle alone began to reach out. Together, we built a community rooted in shared values: supporting public schools, respecting educators, and protecting access to information.

We were able to fight back well at the local level. But here in supermajority Republican Tennessee, we’ve since seen the state legislature override communities like ours. They passed laws that forced book bans, passed progressive voucher programs that shifted funding away from public schools, and imposed policies that we had already rejected. This disconnect has made it clear that local advocacy alone is not enough. If these decisions are being made at the state level, I need to be there. We need to represent communities like mine that are already speaking out.

If you are elected, what are your priorities for the position?

My priorities are focused on protecting and reinvesting in public education and public institutions. Tennessee continues to advance policies like school vouchers that shift funding away from public schools and into private systems, often without the same level of accountability. We believe in strengthening public schools and libraries, not weakening them.

I am also committed to protecting intellectual freedom and ensuring that educators and librarians can do their jobs without political interference. It means opposing laws that make it difficult for teachers to teach with integrity and librarians to fully serve their communities. Equally important, we want to restore a sense of respect for local decision-making so that communities are not subject to state mandates that do not reflect their values.

Where and how do you feel that your background as a librarian prepared you for public service?

My background as a librarian has prepared me in ways beyond policy. It prepared me for people. Librarians are trained to navigate complexity, evaluate information, and serve diverse communities fairly and respectfully. This skill set is critical in public service, especially in situations where misinformation and division can influence policy decisions.

Libraries are also one of the last true public shared spaces. Working in that environment taught me how to listen and serve across differences. And when issues such as book bans arise, librarians are often on the front line balancing legal requirements, community needs, and professional ethics. That experience gave me both the resilience and clarity I needed to step into this role.

What would you say to a fellow library worker who is considering running for political office to encourage them to do so?

I would like to tell them that their perspective is urgently needed, especially now. In states like Tennessee, policy decisions increasingly influence what people can read, teach, and access, and who has a seat at the table matters.

Librarians already understand how the system works and where it fails people. Perhaps you’ve already advocated for your community in ways that require courage and tenacity. Running for office is just an extension of that job. If you value access, equity, and informed communities, please make your voice heard in these areas.

What do you want the public to know about libraries, and what can the public do to support public libraries and public school libraries?

Libraries are much more than books; they are about access, opportunity, and community stability. At a time when public institutions are under challenge, libraries remain one of the few places where people can freely access information, technology and support without barriers.

One of the most important things people can do is make their support visible. What we have learned through our local work is that many people value libraries and schools, but believe they are alone. When community members have their voices heard at meetings, at voting booths, and in everyday conversations, they not only protect these institutions, they strengthen them.