Lavonnia Moore worked for the library system for 15 years.
BLACKSHEAR, Ga. — A longtime Pierce County Library employee in Georgia has been dismissed following a contentious book display that included a book about a transgender boy.
Lavonnia Moore, who held the position of library manager at the Pierce County Library, faced termination on Wednesday. Her sister, Alicia Moore, relayed to First Coast News on Friday that Lavonnia’s aspirations were dashed due to the inclusion of a particular book in a summer reading display.
“She messaged the family group and said ‘I was just fired,'” Alicia said.
She detailed what the last few days have been like for her sister.
“I don’t think she’s doing emotionally good, because imagine having to pack up 15 years in two days,” Alicia explained.
Alicia said Lavonnia had been with the library system for 15 years and worked her way up from part-time clerk to library manager.
The book at the center of the controversy is titled When Aiden Became a Brother, which tells the story of a transgender boy getting ready for the arrival of a new sibling.
The book drew sharp criticism from a community group called Alliance for Faith and Family, the same group that fought for the removal of a mural in the Waycross-Ware County Public Library. The group posted on social media urging people to reach out to the library system and county commissioners.
The Pierce County Library is part of the Three Rivers Regional Library System. First Coast News reached out to the director, Jeremy Snell, multiple times about the display and the firing of the library manager, but he has not responded.
The Alliance for Faith and Family thanked the library system on social media for “quickly addressing their concerns.”
The book’s author Kyle Lukoff also weighed in. He told First Coast News he received a message about the librarian. He said “the story itself says everything I want it to, which is that trans people are a blessing,” and encouraged people to read the book.
Alicia is now calling for people to reach out to the library board and county commissioners, this time to show support for Lavonnia.
“I’m hoping the same method will be useful to get her justice,” Alicia said.
The Pierce County Library will be closed Friday and Saturday, and will reopen Monday, June 23.
