In 2018, Live Oak Public Libraries provided services valued at a total of $34,446,641 across Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. 

The library system is a free community resource and is open to all, with or without a library card. This year, the Library hosted 1,277,521 patron visits and was open to the public 37,000 hours.

“Our libraries are wise community investments and we are pleased to share the value of our services in terms of dollars-and-cents,” said Charlotte Welch, Chair of the Live Oak Public Libraries Regional Board of Trustees. “With this community report we show library services are in great demand, cost effective, and essential in promoting reading and lifelong learning for people of all ages,” added Welch.

“For every dollar our counties invest in our libraries, the community realizes more than four dollars in service value,” said Tom Sloan, Executive Director of Live Oak Public Libraries. “Using the best of business practices, including economy of scale and resource sharing, our libraries efficiently manage resources to build and support a more sustainable community,” noted Sloan.

The 2018 Live Oak Public Libraries Community Report highlights patron use of library services including:

• More than 1.2 million items borrowed with a service value of more than $26 million

• More than 661,000 questions asked on a wide array of topics with a service value of more than $4.6 million

• More than 450,000 computer/online sessions conducted with a service value of more than $2.4 million

• More than 100,000 attendances at library sponsored programs with a service value of more than $680,000