Residents discuss LGBTQ+ books at Harrison County Library Board Meeting

The Harrison County Library Board  had quite a busy afternoon.

Harrison County residents concerned about the presentation of LGBTQ+ books at the library addressed the board Monday at the monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees at West Biloxi Library.

In the middle of the meeting, the floor was open to Pastor Blair Bradley and Ms. Coleen Tucker. “We want to try to protect children from a lot of things. We want to shield children until they are mature enough to make decisions on their own. So, this is nothing to do with me being against transgenderism or homosexuality or anything, I want to protect children and I want them to grow to be mature so they can make these decisions on their own.”

Tucker echoed what Pastor Bradley stated and said the books should be placed on a shelf and not in the face of the children.

Some people present in the meeting disagreed with their comment and wanted their side to be heard as well. Dara Sierra spoke to WXXV after the meeting. “I’ve been a life-long library patron and I do not agree with the non-display of any LGBTQ books, especially during pride month which is what they were referring to.”

The library board did not take any action, but thanked Bradley and Tucker for their comments.

Harrison County Library Director Sarah Crisler-Ruskey said if someone wants a book removed from the library, they have to submit a reconsideration of material that outlines what is objectionable about the material and why the person wants it removed.

Ruskey said the process to remove materials from the library is a long one and the meeting today will not decide the fate of the materials in question.