The Livingston Parish Library director unexpectedly submitted his resignation this week amid months of turmoil over content restrictions for minors that has escalated in recent weeks.
Giovanni Tairov submitted a letter of resignation on Monday, saying he would leave his position “with mixed emotions” to focus on research in public policy. He has served as library director since 2010.
“I have decided it is time for me to move on to new opportunities and challenges,” he wrote. “I am committed to completing a smooth transition.”
Tairov’s departure comes during a time of unprecedented tension in the parish over what library content is appropriate for children and teens. The battle over explicit materials has played out over a span of months.
Last summer, a Livingston Parish Library Board of Control member listed an agenda item titled “book content” for a meeting, then named eight books to consider restricting. Content ranged from a preschool-level picture book about transgender identities to a dating guide for teenage boys with a sexually explicit illustration.
After that heated meeting, Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks sent a letter to the parish Library Board asking them to move sexually questionable content from the children’s and young adult sections — a letter that was later unanimously endorsed by the Parish Council in a resolution.
In response, the Livingston Library Board passed a motion to “express appreciation to the parish president for sharing his perspective.” The Board also said it would uphold its current policy for challenging books — a Citizens’ Request for Reconsideration of Library Material form — and prominently display the policy in each branch of the library and online.
In recent weeks, a Livingston Parish Council member questioned Tairov in a public meeting, asking him to detail what the library system is doing now to protect children. During that exchange, the councilman revealed he had hired a private investigator to test library computers to see how effectively the system’s internet firewall blocks pornography.
The councilman revealed his investigator had managed to access pornography via “backdoor” methods, such as through Reddit or Twitter, instead of through popular websites dedicated to such explicit content.
The library director had not been notified of the attempt, and released a statement on the library system’s Facebook page in the aftermath condemning the councilman’s actions as a “willful violation of Library Board of Control Policy.”
Tairov has served in the Livingston Parish library system for 15 years, a tenure he called “a tremendous honor and privilege.” He also made a point to praise the library employees who keep the branches running, describing them as a talented and hardworking team.
Some of Tairov’s accomplishments include building new library facilities, expanding the system’s collections and implementing new programs and services.
“I am proud of the work we have done and the positive impact we have had on the Livingston Parish community,” he wrote.
Tairov’s last day as director will be March 31.
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