SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County is weighing changes that could end its 80-year partnership with the Live Oak Public Library System, exploring whether a different regional arrangement or an independent library could save money while maintaining services.
Costs Under Review
Officials received a detailed review this week of the Live Oak Public Library System, which serves Effingham, Chatham, and Liberty counties. Retired CPA Wesley Corbitt and former school librarian Nate Ball reported that Effingham’s share of administrative costs totaled $351,000 in 2025, part of a $3.4 million administrative budget for the three-county system. Effingham’s total contribution, including programs and operations, was $899,000 of the system’s $16 million overall budget.
“Effingham County is dedicated to providing quality services while being mindful of costs to our citizens,” county manager Tim Callanan said. “Routine audits of outside contractors are a standard part of our operations, ensuring our community receives fair value… This cost-conscious approach has allowed us to lower the millage rate for five consecutive years.”
Corbitt compared these costs to the Statesboro Regional Library System, which serves five counties with an average administrative cost of $104,000 per county. Effingham’s $351,000 is “concerning” and “potentially excessive” for a suburban-rural library system.
Alternatives Could Cut Spending
Ball noted that core library services are standardized statewide through Georgia Public Library Service programs like PINES and GALILEO. Joining Statesboro could reduce Effingham’s costs to about $712,000 annually, saving roughly $463,000. An independent county library would cost roughly $748,000 after state funding, still below current expenditures.
Live Oak Officials Respond
Betsy McCuller, Live Oak’s communications director, stressed transparency and access for all patrons, while highlighting upcoming events at local branches. Corbitt and Ball assured board members that services and staff benefits would remain intact under any new arrangement.
Century of Service
Live Oak traces its roots to 1903, when the Savannah Public Library opened with a 23,000-volume collection in the Georgia Historical Society. Effingham County joined in 1945 to form the Chatham-Effingham Regional Library. Liberty County was added in 1956, creating the Chatham-Effingham-Liberty (CEL) Library. The name Live Oak Public Libraries was adopted in 2002 to reflect regional growth and the personality of its branches.
Next Steps
The session was informational, marking the start of public discussion about Effingham County’s library system, its costs, and future options. No decisions have been made yet, but the review sets the stage for what could be a major change in how the county delivers library services.
