New Athens regional library director seeks staff funding, previews East Side branch plans

Beth McIntyre, executive director of the Athens Regional Library System, told the commission the library system is busier than ever and requested modest additional local funding to cover staff wages and rising health-benefit costs.

McIntyre said 275,000 people visited Athens libraries last year, Wi-Fi usage is up 18%, and the system circulated more than 153,000 ebooks and audiobooks. She told the commission the East Side Library project — planned to break ground this fall — will serve an area with multiple new housing developments and six elementary schools, and she noted the state typically covers up to 90% of construction costs but not staffing. "Staffing is local funds," McIntyre said.

McIntyre thanked the commission for a recommended FY26 increase of $250,000 for library staff in the mayor's proposed budget but said the system still faces a shortfall of $37,323. She asked the commission to consider the remaining amount as the budget is finalized. McIntyre also highlighted library services such as mobile hotspots and a student library-card program that now covers more than 15,000 students.

Why it matters: libraries play a community role in literacy, digital access and workforce and youth programming. The East Side project and staff-pay adjustments have direct budget implications for FY26 and beyond.

Next steps: McIntyre and staff said they will be available to answer follow-up budget questions and that the East Side branch staffing and openings will be requests in future budget cycles (FY27) when construction completes.