Manager LaVonnia Moore dismissed following social media campaign
Pierce County Library Manager LaVonnia Moore has been dismissed following the display of a book that was deemed “inappropriate” for children.
Jeremy Snell, Director of the Three Rivers Regional Library System (TRRLS), said the system, in consultation with library board leadership, has decided to move to new leadership for the Pierce County Library. He specifically cited the display of the “inappropriate” book as the reason for the decision.
“The library holds transparency and community trust in the highest regard,” Snell said.
Moore said she could not comment directly on the matters concerning her dismissal when contacted late last week.
“I am just heartbroken,” she said of her dismissal.
According to sources, Moore had often been complimented for her work on providing numerous programs and activities for the community, including, most recently, Project Prom, to help high school girls with dresses for the annual PCHS prom.
Moore had also been criticized by some local pro family groups for display of “inappropriate” items and for being uncooperative with them with scheduling the group’s events.
She has worked in the library system for 15 years.
The Times has learned Moore is reportedly considering filing a lawsuit in connection with her dismissal.
Moore and library staff reportedly posed for a photo with a display for the summer fun reading program. The display, allegedly developed by other library volunteers, included a book on transgender youth entitled When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff. The post was on the library’s Facebook page, but has since been taken down. A local group, the Alliance for Faith and Family, highlighted the post and circulated it asking concerned citizens to contact their county commissioners and local and regional library officials.
Efforts to reach representatives of the Alliance for Faith and Family were unsuccessful. The group has a presence on several social media platforms, but no contact person is included.
The library was closed from Wednesday, June 18, to Monday, June 23, to allow time for staff coverage to be arranged.
The latest development at the library comes on the heels of a pair of controversies last year that led to the Pierce County Library joining the TRRLS following a messy “divorce” from the Okefenokee Regional Library System.
The local library ended its affiliation with Okefenokee in July, 2024, after a long-running dispute over sexual content on murals, LGBTQ displays and bathroom policies within the Okefenokee System.
One of the main reasons cited for the change to the new library system is that the TRRLS allowed local library boards a greater degree of self autonomy to set its own policies and govern its facility.
The local library board meets quarterly and includes Lana Blankenship, Laci Gillis, Jacqueline Moses, Malayna Wetherington and Mandy Williams.
The board last met in April and is due to meet again at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.
The local board has not approved any policies governing displays at the local library since joining the Three Rivers System.
During last year’s controversy, the Pierce County Library had experienced a budget shortfall after the county slashed its share of library funding by $25,000 and the school board eliminated its $15,400 in funding altogether. Only the City of Blackshear maintained its funding.
The three entities jointly fund the local branch and the regional system provides the remainder of the funding through a state grant.
After the Pierce County Library joined the TRRLS, the county restored its funding and provides $77,000 annually. The City of Blackshear maintained its funding of $12,514 per year. The school board never restored its funding.
