NPL spokesperson Seth Alexander told American Libraries that trustees “made the change based on what they felt is a good policy for Nashville,” taking into consideration a February 22, 2000, opinion by the state attorney general stating, “A public library would violate [the harmful-to-minors statute] if the library knowingly rented a video containing nudity or sexual conduct to a minor.” Alexander acknowledged that officials were unaware of the opinion until Buttrey brought it to the attention of Mayor Bill Purcell last winter.
Buttrey, who wrote an article for the March 12 Nashville Westview neighborhood newspaper about her campaign, noted that the board changed its policy at the meeting that followed her talk with Mayor Purcell, at which he had assured her “that he was going to call his 'friends at the library'.” She went on to reveal, “My uncle, John Greenwood, who is a lobbyist, suggested that I speak with some senators and representatives about legislation.” The results are Senate Bill 0985 and House Bill 1667, which, if passed, would codify the attorney general's opinion as an amendment to Tennessee's harmful-to-minors law. In the meantime, the senate unanimously passed a resolution April 28 “urging” library boards statewide to stop minors from borrowing videos rated R or NC-17.
Posted May 5, 2003.