EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. () — The Effingham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to withdraw from the Live Oak Public Library System.

Commissioners passed a resolution of intent to create a stand-alone County Library System during their meeting on Tuesday afternoon. The decision was made after 15 minutes of public comments, where every speaker expressed opposition to the withdrawal.

A former Mayor of Guyton, current Live Oak Library employees, homeschool parents, and low-income residents shared concerns about losing access to materials and library services.

Even after hearing the opposition, the board stated that the change is about saving costs and maintaining local control. However, some residents are skeptical.

“There’s sketchy stuff going on in Effingham County,” said Ivy Gibbons, a concerned resident. “And I think that people are finally ready to stand up and say ‘absolutely not.'”

The decision will remove Rincon and Springfield libraries from the Live Oak Public Libraries Regional System by the end of June 2026.