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Residents urge Columbia County to rescind library guidelines and oppose SB 74 during public comments
Summary
Several residents used the public-comment period to criticize recently adopted library guidelines and a proposed state bill (SB 74) that would criminalize certain library activities; speakers called for board accountability and changes to appointees.
Two residents and an organized local group urged the Columbia County Board of Commissioners to rescind recently adopted library guidelines and to oppose Georgia Senate Bill 74 during the public-comment period.
Marlena Bergeron, of 2545 Willow Creek Court, said she was speaking “to advocate for tolerance at the Library” and urged the board to rescind the guidelines. Bergeron told the commission that the regional director position was being filled after one nominee withdrew and that some board members had publicly supported SB 74, which Bergeron described as legislation that would “criminalize librarians.” She asked the board whether they supported appointees who backed the bill.
Karen Parham, chair and founder of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, said she had compiled a list of titles that were reclassified between February 2024 and the date of her remarks and said the majority of challenged titles involved LGBTQ content. Parham argued the guidelines have a disproportionate effect on LGBTQ books and called the guidelines “unconstitutional.” She urged commissioners to repeal the guidelines and asked that appointees who support SB 74 step down.
A commissioner (identified in the transcript as Commissioner Moliere) said he had reviewed some of the books and described images he found objectionable; he said he had asked the sheriff and district attorney whether possession of certain images would be criminal. The chair restored order and moved on to other business.
Why it matters: Speakers tied local library policy to proposed state legislation and to staffing and board appointments; they asked the county’s appointing authority (the commission) to act on concerns about bias and constitutionality. The board did not take formal action on the library guidelines during this meeting.
