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Library board wants more action
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The Liberty County Library Board members this week expressed dissatisfaction with progress on the new Live Oak Library branch for Hinesville, as well as the relocating of the Midway-Riceboro Branch.
"There was a time when the projects seemed to be progressing," Library Director Christian Kruse said at the board's April meeting Monday, "But now they're not moving along at all."
The main branch project seems to be caught up in the realignment of Memorial Drive, for which ground was been broken, also Monday.
Initial plans called for a new, larger library adjoining the present site on the north side of Memorial. More recent ideas placed a possible new library across Memorial, on the south side of the street.
Kruse said the newer proposal was ideal for the library, because the structure could be completed and then the move could be made, minimizing difficulties.
This would also leave the existing library building for other possible use.
Dr. John Johnson a member of the library board as well as Hinesville's Downtown Development Authority, relayed this message at a DDA meeting Thursday.
Johnson was given a strongly worded resolution to back up the board's stance.
Finance is also a concern for the library. Board members believe they had been led to expect SPLOST funds, which had not been provided.
LaFayne May, veteran board member and former chairman, exclaimed, "We have got to get this funded. They have put us off and put us off..."
There have also been delays in the move of the Midway-Riceboro Branch Library into the former Liberty Elementary School, which is now a community building housing Midway City Hall and a sheriff's office substation.
Space including the school's former library is reserved for a Live Oak branch, but structural and financial problems have beset that project.  
County Administrator Joey Brown has said the county has some unused bonding capacity that might be used to get the branch library on track.
The building frustrations were not the only sad items on Monday's agenda. The board also said goodbye to member Sue Tolley. But they hope it will be temporary.
Tolley, principal of Joseph Martin Elementary School, has served the maximum of three three-year terms and was unable to serve another under the organization's constitution, which limits terms.
Tolley received thanks, hugs, kisses and a resolution of appreciation, along with the board's determination to ask to have her reappointed to the next available vacancy.
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