Allison Bratton Clements drives 30 minutes to reach the nearest library in Effingham County. She spoke to the many services the library provides and the need for another location to accommodate a growing county.
“Growth in the county is exploding,” said Clements. “It would be great to have a library on our end of the county so my children could visit more often. I am an avid reader, and for convenience I mostly utilize digital books from our library system using the Libby & Hoopla apps. Our kids have access as well with their school ID. I often find myself telling people about these apps because they are such an amazing resource. Many residents may not realize all the other things that can be checked out from the library, like passes to places such as the children’s museum.”
Commissioners are discussing adding two new libraries on the south end of the county to accommodate population growth, which has increased significantly in recent years. According to the U.S. Census, the county’s population was 64,769 in 2020 and estimates it rose to 71,541 in 2023, an increase of 10.5%.
"The existing library at 105 W. 17th St. in Rincon is set to be replaced with a new building at a different site and a spot for the construction of a new library near South Effingham High School is needed," according to a press release from Effingham County. " Live Oak Public Libraries recently received funding from Effingham County for the initial stages of planning for the new buildings. The goal is to come up with a common design that will be used at both locations."
Live Oak Public Libraries received $753,854 for 2024 and $848,878 is proposed for the 2025 budget to support the cost of the new libraries and will be paid for through the county's general fund. However, according to Mark Lastinger, public information officer for Effingham County, the total cost cannot be determined until after land is purchased and buildings have gone through the design phase.
In 2023, the library saw a 14% increase from 2022 in card holders, and in the same year, libraries in Effingham County drew in $1,166,848 in total revenue.
Rincon library by the numbers:
- Library visitors: 37,118
- Card holders: 15,666
- Checkouts: 85,089
- Computer sessions: 5,070
- Program attendance: 5,745
Having a bigger facility would not only accommodate growth but an opportunity for staff members like Branch Manager Catherine Driggers to meet community needs.
“To have a bigger space would mean that we're providing what our community needs,” said Driggers. “It's for the community. We have people that are wanting to study during the summer. We'll have a lot of tutors coming with kids. Almost anything you need, you can find it at a library.”
Libraries open up a world of possibilities for readers who are intrigued by their favorite topics and authors. That rings true for Lauren Lee, who has been an avid library user.
“The assortment of books are great and we have checked out hundreds over the past few years,” said Lee. “However, what has made our experience so great at the library is the staff. They put together great activities for the adults and the kids. They seem to truly get excited when they see some of these kids walk through the doors and even call them by name. Relationships, imagination and foundations are built within our libraries.”
Driggers said one of the biggest misconceptions is that the library is just a place to check out books.
“We do computer usage when people don't have [the internet],” said Driggers. “We do programming for the kids, we do story times, which helps with early literacy and getting them ready to start school. If they're doing homeschool, we do a lot of programs around homeschooling families so that they also have ways to get out and have access to a library and offices.”
A vibrant vegetable patch sits outside the library and serves as an educational tool on vegetation instruction. The library also partners with Second Harvest to provide meals for children who get free or reduced lunches as those meals are not available during the summertime.
“There are children that might not live somewhere where they have easy access to fresh fruits and veggies or they don't know about how the vegetables grow,” said Driggers. “It's a constant learning thing. We do a lot of things out here that helps the community.”
With its comfortable chairs and cozy nooks, all one needs is a little bit of curiosity and determination to explore. And best of all – you can get in free of charge.
“We are one of the few places you can go and not have to spend any money and we're going to let you in,” said Betsy McCullar, director of communications & strategic partnerships at Live Oak Public Libraries. “It doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, what your income is or if you have no income - you're going to get in.”
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
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