Overview

• Commissioners voted unanimously to withdraw from the regional system, with the split scheduled to take effect in June 2026 and current access continuing until then.
• Live Oak’s attorney argues state law vests withdrawal authority in the county’s library trustees rather than commissioners, making the action a legal dispute.
• The board also removed Erica Biezenbos as chair of the Effingham County Library Board and appointed Sherry Duff after citing procedural complaints that Biezenbos disputes.
• County leaders say leaving will save about $400,000 a year after a consultant found administrative costs under Live Oak were far higher than in Bulloch County, while library officials warn the move would remove up to 93% of books and most technology from local branches.
• Open records cited by the library’s lawyer describe a “Library Project” to build an independent system, with emails showing consultant Nate Ball sought a $120,000 director salary and county records showing he was paid $77,659.