Fannin County Public Library Director Clare Barton

The Fannin County Library, along with hundreds of other Georgia libraries, could see money to increase the library’s collection coming its way.  The 2017 Georgia Budget, which Gov. Deal must sign by May 3^rd, carries allocations for purchasing library materials, the first such allocation in almost a decade.  The allocation gives each library 25 cents per capita.  According to Clare Barton, Fannin County Public Library Director, Fannin County Library has a service area of 25,000, at 25 cents each that represents $6000.

When funds become available for material purchase, Ms. Barton spends smart, making the money last and giving the most impact to the collection.  One way is by purchasing books through guilds.  For years, the library has had a subscription to a guild which sends out large-print, unabridged versions of national bestsellers.  She also belongs to children’s book guilds which lets her purchase award-winning children’s books at low prices.

Ms. Barton says that the library takes requests about what new material to purchase.  Fannin County residents can suggest materials, technology, books, CDs and videos for the library to purchase.

Robust funding for Georgia’s library operations additionally bolsters Fannin County citizens’ campaign to have funding for a new stand-alone library on the SPLOST ballot.  Through budget allocations, the Georgia Legislature has continued its practice of funding library renovation projects at the top of the years-long waiting list.  The state library budget will pay $2 million to build a  Valdosta-Lowndes County Library, $2 million to expand and redesign the Neva Lomanson Memorial Library in Carrollton.  $2 million to expansions and upgrades for the Doughtery County Public Library and $1.8 million to expand the library in Bogart.

Fannin County library supporters hope to have the library listed as one of the recipients of Fannin’s SPLOST 2016 money.  If Fannin County can contribute $2.5 million, then the state will match it with $2 million, giving the library a total of $4.5 million to buy land, design and build a stand-alone library.