Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance has nominated Marjorie Harrison to serve as director of the city’s five libraries, which have been the source of heated controversy, protests, parental rights disputes and division for many years.

On Feb. 28, Harrison answered questions during an Anchorage Assembly work session, which amounted to a de facto confirmation hearing.

In particular, Harrison was asked about her approach to divisive books and controversial events that the library might encounter under her watch.

Harrison, who has worked as director at numerous libraries across the country, gave largely vague answers that failed to reveal her personal philosophy when it comes to books or events that might cause heated debate in the wider community.

Assemblyman Felix Rivera asked how she would “balance different perspectives in the community around books, when part of the community might not want specific books or events.”

Harrison said she believed everyone’s voice should be heard, and that she would rely on established policy to guide her decisions. She added that she firmly believes librarians should be “non-partisan” and serve all viewpoints.

At one point, Assemblyman Kameron Perez-Verdia told Harrison that the Anchorage library has been plagued by contentious political fighting under former Mayor Dave Bronson.

In practice, however, this philosophy often most often leads to librarians allowing sexually suggestive books, and LGBTQ titles into the children’s sections, a point of community division in Anchorage and across much of the nation.

At one point, Assemblyman Kameron Perez-Verdia told Harrison that the Anchorage library has been plagued by contentious political fighting under former Mayor Dave Bronson, who served from 2021-2024.

During his term, Bronson attempted to install more conservative library leadership after years of library-sponsored drag queen story hours, and the revelation of sexually explicit books being made available to young children. Bronson’s efforts were systematically blocked by the hard-left Assembly majority, who opposed his every attempt at reforming the library.

“We had an administration here that I think created a lot of fervor, and a lot of that was directed at the library, and so I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of this,” Perez-Verdia told Harrison. “The library was on the front lines of a lot of this.”

He asked Harrison to share her approach to controversial books or event requests at the library.

“I am against book banning,” she responded. “I feel that libraries are here for everyone.”

Harrison kept her answers short, and went back to the idea that she will rely heavily on “policies and procedures” that are set in place by the Assembly and library leadership.

The downtown library has also seen violence perpetrated on patrons by some homeless individuals who often use the space to hang out, sleep or warm themselves. Perez-Verdia wanted to know whether Harrison was open to the homeless continuing to access the library.

“I’m in favor,” she said. “To me the library is welcoming to everyone.”

Harrison’s resume indicates she is firmly committed to so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activism.

Harrison then noted that there should be a “code of conduct policy” to address problematic behavior. She recalled that libraries she has worked for in the past had armed guards present, but that she would “look to the community” to see what they were most comfortable with.

Eagle River Assemblyman Scott Myers asked Harrison if there was anything in particular she’d like to change about the Anchorage libraries, based off of what she has seen so far.

“I can’t identify anything off the top of my head specifically,” she said, adding that she will “definitely start seeing things” as she spends more time in the various facilities.

Myers returned to the issue of book banning.

“How would you determine what constitutes an age-appropriate book or event for children and teens at the library?” he asked.

Again, Harrison gave an ambiguous answer, saying she would rely on the age group the author had in mind, along with other library “resources” to help make those decisions.

During Bronson’s term as mayor, the Assembly stripped the Library Advisory Board of its previous authority to ban or limit certain books, and instead granted that power exclusively to the library director.

Assembly Chairman Christopher Constant highlighted this change and said Harrison would have “grave and great power” were she confirmed as the city’s new library director.

While Harrison’s successfully avoided divulging her personal views on contentious issues, her resume indicates she is firmly committed to so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activism. In 2020 she served on the Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Council for the City of Lake Charles. Prior to that she worked on the Lake Charles Team for Community Diversity and Inclusion, from 2016-2019.

Harrison’s confirmation is still pending a final vote of the full Assembly during its March 4 meeting, but Constant indicated her approval was a forgone conclusion. He ended the meeting by inviting her to bring her family to the upcoming meeting for the formal swearing in ceremony.

Click here to support Alaska Watchman reporting.