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Governor recommends funding for 11 library projects

GPLS News, February 2009

Governor recommends funding for 11 library projects
Governor Perdue (left) included almost $19 million to assist with the design and construction of 11 important new library projects throughout the state.

Good news for Georgia's public libraries came in the capital outlay recommendations of Gov. Sonny Perdue's seventh State of the State Address.

Perdue outlined his legislative agenda to a special joint session of the Georgia General Assembly on Jan. 14 and formally submitted his budget recommendations for the State of Georgia for fiscal year 2010. In a nod to the critical importance of public libraries in the current tough economic times, the governor included almost $19 million to assist with the design and construction of 11 important new library projects throughout the state. This amount, coupled with $28.3 million in local funding, will allow the projects to move forward.

The 11 projects included, their total project costs and the value of their state shares as recommended by the governor, are:

"We are very excited about the Governor's recommendation to fund our system's construction projects in Madison and Loganville," said Jeff Tomlinson, director of the Uncle Remus Regional Library System. "Both communities have experienced large population growth, and the demand for materials and services there have exceeded our current spaces. Given that tough economics creates a high demand for library services, these building projects will allow us to serve our communities in ways that we just aren't able to do with our current building constraints. We feel fortunate that both the State and our local communities support this construction effort."

"This construction funding helps to leverage our local SPLOST funds to expand library services to our area's residents," said Kathryn Ames, director of the Athens Regional Library System. "Our library is the second most-used public facility in Athens, behind only the mall, with a daily attendance of more than 2,000 people. This expansion is badly needed so we can expand our children's area to feature family literacy activities and update our technology services, including instruction, Internet access and downloadable audio and video programs."

Ames said the library also plans to double the size of its Heritage Room to accommodate demand from Georgia history and genealogy researchers. "The building will also meet LEED standards and will serve as a demonstration center for Œgreen' building. Its flexibility and adaptability will allow the library to change and grow as community needs evolve."

The Sara Hightower system's Rockmart branch likewise cannot keep up with the demand created by a rapidly growing area. "Rockmart needs a much larger library," said Branch Manager Ann Wheeler. "Currently, our children's section is so narrow that a patron with a baby stroller cannot navigate it. We are not wheelchair accessible. Our conference room is too small for our story times, which sometimes draw more than 200. We have a waiting list for computers each day, and we do not have adequate parking. Not a day goes by without a patron asking when we are going to get a larger library. Now we can tell them, Œsoon.'"

The Thomas County Public Library is in a similar situation. "When our facility opened in 1993, who knew what effect the library would have on the community?" said Nancy Tillinghast, director of the Thomas County Library System. "These proposed state funds, added to our local SPLOST funds, will enable us to expand the building to house additional books and computers, and it will give us a larger meeting room, enabling us to better serve the community."

The new Forest Park Library will be a Godsend to its community, as well, according to Carol Stewart, director of the Clayton County Library System. "The existing library is landlocked with insufficient parking, limited wheelchair access and limited ability to be retrofitted for technology," she said. "I am so happy our project has been funded, because the area is in such great need of this improved facility."

The Sequoyah Regional Library System will expand the Jones Memorial Library's children's area, add a new computer lab and improve several other spaces. "The new Northeast branch will provide service for a part of the county that has not had a library," said director Susan E. White. "The people in that area have had to travel miles to the nearest library, and this growing population will be thrilled with this new facility."

"We are very encouraged that the Governor's support for library construction includes the new Jeff Davis Public Library project," said Mark Cole, director of the Satilla Regional Library System. "The proposed state funding will allow us to construct a facility that will provide the high quality of library services that the citizens of Jeff Davis County need."

"The entire public library community is most gratified that Governor Perdue is recommending these eleven projects to the General Assembly," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch. "I know that he recognizes the great value of public libraries in these troubling economic times, and he wants to support excellent library facilities in Georgia with these capital bond fund proposals. This FY2010 proposed package is a continuation of the significant cooperative program of state participation with local communities in building new public libraries that has been a hallmark of Governor Perdue's administration."

Citing current economic uncertainties and projected budget shortfalls, however, the governor proposed a lean overall budget that includes a reduction of approximately $3.3 million in current library-related funding. This portion of the governor's proposal includes a reduction in program operations ($560,842), a decrease in public library state grants for materials and books ($1,793,380), and a reduction in funding for repairs and renovations ($900,000). The figure is partially offset by the governor's recommendation to add $245,573 in funds to the state grants formula for libraries, based on an increase in the state's population.

"The Governor's recommendations for reductions to both GPLS operations and state grants were anticipated and will certainly be challenging for us as an agency," said Veatch, "but we understand the need for belt tightening in the current economic climate. More importantly, we are grateful for the good news regarding the proposed capital outlay funding for libraries and look forward to seeing those projects become realities for the communities and citizens who will depend on them."