Library seeks funding for East Side branch staffing and tech; asks FY27 support to expand services

Beth McIntyre, director of the Athens Regional Library System, and Rebecca Ballard, children’s services department head, presented the library’s updated strategic plan and FY27 budget request.

McIntyre said the system’s FY25 services generated an estimated $9.3 million in community value using the American Library Association calculator and described core asks: funds to replace 30–40 public computers, continued investment in digital collections, and personnel costs to staff the planned East Side Library. Ballard highlighted children’s programming: more than 800 children’s programs last year with 30,000 children attending and a kids library card automatically issued to Clarke County School students.

Library staff estimated East Side staffing needs at three full‑time employees plus about nine part‑time employees (roughly 19 hours or less per part‑timer) and estimated salary and benefit costs around $381,000. McIntyre said a projected SHBP (state health benefit plan) per‑FTE cost came in lower than first anticipated — $23,220 annually per full‑time employee rather than $24,336 — and staff plan to redirect some savings to other personnel needs.

Commissioners asked about operating costs, construction timing and ongoing state versus local funding for operations; McIntyre said the East Side Library is expected to open late summer or early fall next year (FY28) and that operational staffing will be a local responsibility while some construction and materials grants can be state supported.

Library leaders thanked the commission for prior support and said they would refine staffing budgets and materials requests ahead of final budget decisions.