Library system's future

By Kari L. Sands

June 21, 2008 11:37 pm

— VALDOSTA — Funding, relocation and possible cutbacks are all questions raised recently about the South Georgia Regional Library system.
The main branch, located on Woodrow Wilson Drive, is a unique 32,710 square-foot facility in that it is owned by Lowndes County but located on city of Valdosta property.
“The public library system is legislatively created and regulated by the state of Georgia,” said County Manager Joe Pritchard. “Locally, as a part of House Bill 489, it was agreed upon by Lowndes County and its municipalities that the library was the funding responsibility of the entire county. This being the case, our local library system receives funding from the state of Georgia and Lowndes County. The building and property on which the main branch is located on Woodrow Wilson is still under title as being property of the City of Valdosta; however, as a part of House Bill 489 it is supposed to be deeded to the County. The County has in the past and continues to fund building maintenance.”
South Georgia Regional Library serves as the main library of six branches which include McMullen Southside Library, Salter Hahira Library, Johnston Lakes Library, Miller Lakeland, and Allen Statenville Library. Questions have been circulating through the community about possible library closures and the risk of losing educational sources outside of schools, primarily McMullen Southside Library, donated to the county in 1989.
“At this time, no branches are slated for closure,” said South Georgia Regional Library Director Chuck Gibson.
During the creation of the fiscal year 2009, the South Georgia Regional Library requested $2,338,444.00, resulting in proposed funding of only $1,528,648.00.
“In addition to the cost of operations provided by the county, we are seeking our own avenues for funding, not just for a new building, but for additional programs,” said Halley Little, community relations coordinator. “Right now our focus is not getting a new building but improving the services given in this one. Our main focus is on additional service, material, and making the library more relevant to the community,” said Little.
According to Little, Economic Development Coordinator Jim Roberts is also exploring additional grants to assist in funding the South Georgia Regional Library.
As Valdosta and Lowndes County’s population continues to grow, the need for funding for a larger facility and additional materials is a necessity to accommodate the community.
“Unfortunately, the price of the building is related to its actual value. The actual value of the current facility might not cover the cost of a new building. If that is the case, the needs of the service will have to be prioritized within available funding,” said Pritchard.
Whether the property is renovated or moved completely, a new facility will require a number of additional features to accommodate South Georgia Regional Library’s services. “No one is more familiar with the needs of the library, than the library board. Features for a new facility will be considered at their recommendation,” said Pritchard.
Little said some features that the South Georgia Regional Library would like to see added are a reading courtyard or a larger outdoor space for reading, more parking, larger and more storage space, additional space for children’s programs and additional meeting rooms.
“Currently, when hosting children’s programs, we are maxed out for space for our supplies and room for all our activities when the children are making crafts,” said Little, “The main focus of South Georgia Regional Library at this time is making this facility and activities more relevant to the community.”
With the possibility of a relocation or renovation of the current South Georgia Regional Library main branch, several locations and purchasers have already began to surface.
“South Georgia Medical Center has met with the library board and has expressed interest in the building if it is sold or moves,” said South Georgia Medical Center CEO James McGahee.

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