Why a Middle Tennessee couple is donating 500 Christian books to schools
A local couple has donated more than 500 Christian "gospel-centered" books to Wilson County Schools in the hopes of getting them into libraries.
Dave and Holly Ashley, of Mt. Juliet, spent a little more than $7,300 for the books included in the donation amid ongoing requests the Wilson County School Board has received for well over a year to review books in libraries that some view as inappropriate for students.
The Ashleys are making the donation through their Christian-based Cross Strength Ministries.
The couple isn't advocating for the removal of any books currently on Wilson County school shelves.
"You can't fight a moral issue by arguing," said Holly Ashley, 57. "It's just not going to work.
"We need to shine a light into the libraries. We chose books to help children see both sides of the story, to help with their critical thinking ... It's a ridiculous argument to ban everything. Our job is to shine a light in the darkness."
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Each traditional Wilson County high school — Green Hill, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Wilson Central and Watertown — has received the same 102 books, Holly Ashley said. The Ashleys' children are grown and not in Wilson County Schools.
The individual schools ultimately decide what books will be placed on their library shelves, Wilson County Schools Public Information Officer Bart Barker said.
"Any donated books haven't quite made it to shelves just yet because the quantity of a donation such as this takes some time while making sure policy guidelines are met," Barker said.
Selection of instructional and library materials other than textbooks are delegated to principals and staff, according to Wilson County policy. Teachers, library media specialists, students, administrators, parents and the community may be involved as well. Principals have the discretion for determining how materials will be selected for their school, the policy states.
"I believe that our professional librarians are the best people to review any book donations and that each book should be reviewed individually, not as a whole group to be accepted or rejected," Zone 1 Wilson County School Board Member Carrie Pfeiffer said. "I agree that it is important to have a broad library collection that provides access to students about many different ideas and perspectives."
The Ashleys' donation includes the following books, among others:
"The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel.
"What Does the Bible Teach About Homosexuality? A Short Book on Biblical Sexuality" by Owen Strachan.
"The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges.
"Strong and Courageous" by Tom Ascol.
"Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God" by Noel Piper.
"How Jesus Cares" by Sinclair Ferguson.
"Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy.
It is common for the district to receive book donations, Barker said.
"I appreciate anyone wishing to donate to Wilson County Schools," Zone 3 Wilson County School Board Member Melissa Lynn said.
Books Wilson County has removed
The Wilson County School Board has removed six books from its library shelves since members started reviewing publications in April 2022. The board has reviewed 21 books through September.
Two books — "The Carnival at Bray" and "The Kite Runner" — narrowly escaped removal in May.
Lucia Vignola, who spoke in favor of removing the books at that meeting, called the books “evil” and stated that no one should have access to them — not just minors — due to sexual content.
“There is a war for the hearts of our children, being waged by Marxist communistic ideology using these demonic books to destroy the innocence of our kids,” she said. “There is no value in anyone reading these sadistic, pornographic, sexual and horrific books—but surely not minors.”
Retired professor and Wilson County resident Sarah Swain also spoke at the May meeting, disagreeing with Vignola and calling the issue of book banning a democratic, not demonic, crisis.
“Through access to the variety of books kept inside libraries — including their sometimes controversial and conflicting ideas — students learn to evaluate, analyze, assess appreciate and discuss important educational goals and skills,” she said. “But this is only possible if we uphold the freedom to read and learn. Recent attempts to remove books from school libraries are contrary to the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment that protests us — all of us — from attempts to suppress ideas and information."
The books that have been removed are:
"Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts),” by L.C. Rosen — removed in December 2022.
"Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins — removed in December 2022.
"Infandous,” by Elana K. Arnold — removed in June.
"Damsel,” by Elana K. Arnold — removed in June.
"Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic,” by Alison Bechdel — removed in July.
"The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel,” by Margaret Atwood — removed in August.
Wilson County Schools also provides a mature reading list that enables parents the right to approve whether their child has access to the material. "The Carnival at Bray" and "The Kite Runner" were added to that list in May.
Angele Latham contributed to this story. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Wilson County Schools put 500 donated Christian books in libraries?
