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Dougherty County libraries report surge in use; West Town renovation plan resumes
Summary
Library trustees told the Dougherty County commission the system finished the fiscal year under budget, welcomed about 154,000 patron visits (a 24% increase) and plans a West Town building renovation with bids targeted for spring 2025 and occupancy expected early 2026.
Dougherty County — Library board chair Walter Kelly told the county commission on Dec. 9 that the public library system finished the fiscal year under budget and recorded a substantial uptick in use, and library leadership outlined a schedule to restart the long‑delayed West Town renovation.
"We welcomed 154,000 patrons into our 5 libraries, which was a 24% increase over last year," Kelly said, noting the system hosted hundreds of programs and generated event revenue that returns to the county. Gail Evans, the library director, said digital content, hotspots and Chromebooks helped drive circulation and access.
The library presented a number of service expansions and community programs. Evans said the system plans to expand a "library of things" — lending recreational equipment, karaoke machines and STEM kits — and will pilot a seed library at the Tallulah branch. She described recent grants that funded Chromebooks and hotspots and noted a new digital connectivity grant will allow the system to add roughly 30 more devices to the circulating inventory.
The West Town renovation — originally developed before the COVID pandemic and put on hold — is moving forward. Lee Martin, the architect with SRJ, said staff and the architect will review plans in January, present to the board in February, complete final documents in April, go to bid in April and aim to award a contract in June. "We would look for you all to occupy the building sometime [in] the beginning of 2026," Martin said.
Martin also outlined budget components for the project, including soft costs such as moving and an FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) line that staff estimated around $200,000. He said furniture design and purchasing support is included at roughly 10% of furniture costs, and that the moving line item could be reduced if county crews or partners assist with furniture relocation.
Commissioners asked about rebranding branch names, outreach for 24/7 Wi‑Fi users, and services for people with sensory needs; Evans described partnerships with local health and aging organizations and outreach plans. The board also heard that a bookmobile — illustrated in the report — is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2025.
The presentation closed with trustees expressing appreciation for county support. The renovation schedule, budget estimates and related grant funding were presented for further review; final construction contracts will require a future procurement action by the board.
