by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer
LONG BEACH (GG) — Long Beach is officially joining the Harrison County Library System, placing the final jewel in the Harrison County library crown. With the move, Long Beach becomes the last municipality in Harrison County to join the shared system, linking its library to a broader network serving Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian, D’Iberville, Saucier, and now Long Beach!
Long Beach Mayor Tim Pierce says the decision came down to sustainability and opportunity. Long Beach was one of only two cities in the state still operating outside a county library system.
“With the budget restraints that we have, this will allow us to grow the library, be more efficient, and have access to more things than just Long Beach by itself,” Pierce said. Funding will be shared between the city and the county, easing financial pressure while expanding resources. “Everybody I talked to who went to the county told us the same thing: it works well.”
This shift translates into more books, more digital access, expanded programming, and deeper connections to technology, research tools, and regional services. Long Beach readers will now be able to enjoy seamless access across the Harrison County Library System’s branches, all tied together by a mission rooted in lifelong learning and community connection.
The Long Beach Public Library already hums with activity, from preschool story time to author visits and creative programs like Sit, Stay, READ! Joining the county system doesn’t replace that; it only amplifies it.
Long Beach’s library has weathered fires, hurricanes, and reinvention since its earliest days. This newest chapter isn’t about survival. It’s about expansion—a bigger network and a library card that opens more doors than ever before.
