The Burke County  Library

New Burke County Library

The new Burke County Library opened in the fall of 2005.  The 16,000 square foot building is double the size of the old library. Special features include a large children’s area, a Georgia Room with up-to-date research technology, a media-equipped meeting room, and a collection of new books and DVDs. There are also an increase in the number of computers, a computer lab, wireless access for laptops and a self-checkout system.

Burke County Library

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 Library construction photos

Background & Opportunity

 The Burke County Library was founded in 1950, when the Waynesboro Exchange Club developed a vision of the value of library service. Holder Watson, Ed Donovant, and Emma Jane Durdan led the first Library board. With the cooperation of the Board of Commissioners, the library was located in a room on the second floor of the Courthouse, supported by a budget of $75.00 per month. The library obtained its own building in 1959, which was subsequently expanded in 1975 under the leadership of Board Chairman Joyce Odom.

Since 1975, the population of Burke County has grown by 25%, and it has been transformed from a predominately farming community to an expanding, diverse economy. New schools, a satellite campus of Augusta Technical College and new industries and stores have improved the quality of life while the town has maintained the best qualities of the small city spirit. 

The library has been an integral part of this growth, supporting the education of children and adults and enhancing the cultural opportunities for all citizens. In fact, the library has been at the forefront of making available new technologies, internet access and information in all formats. The staff has upgraded their skills to be able to assist in all areas. They have worked cooperatively with literacy and adult education groups, as well as researchers. 

Lively story times and special summer activities are designed to draw young people in to the library to enjoy reading and learning. Displays by area artists and schools have been well received. Since 1975 library circulation has grown by 60% and the size of the collection has almost doubled.

Additionally, the library now has 14 computers which were used 8,600 times last year.

In 1998, the Burke County Library Board began to discuss the needs of the library. Because the library could not be expanded due to the small size of its lot, the board decided to seek options for building a new library. Ernest Gough, Kaye Jones, Russell Keadle, Kathy Land, Charles Perry and Alberta Anderson served on the Library2000 Committee that investigated possible sites. The committee met with representatives of the Georgia State Office of Public Library Services to determine the proper size for a new library building and the amount of land needed. They considered sites based on location, convenience, visibility, size, cost and ease of construction. 

Three sites were identified and presented to the Burke County Commissioners. With the help of the Commissioners and the Burke County Legislative delegation, the library was allocated a three acre plot in the proposed Waynesboro Park Complex on Highway 24 South. A building plan for the library was developed at the same time. The building would meet all state standards and serve the needs of the community as expressed to library staff and the Library2000 committee. The new building would be 15,000 square feet, double the size of the current facility and would include features to provide high quality service to meet 21^st century demands.