Mission & Vision

Mission

Live Oak Public Libraries provides excellent, responsive service to enrich people's lives, support lifelong learning and build and enhance our communities.

Vision

Creating tomorrow's library today to educate, inform, entertain and enrich our community.

Values

We ensure that all users of Live Oak Public Libraries receive attentive, timely and courteous customer service.

We provide quick, convenient, accurate and non-judgmental responses to all requests.

We believe that users of our libraries should receive free and unrestricted access to library collections and services.

We are forward thinking, agile, dynamic and flexible.

We provide a supportive work environment and appreciate the contributions of each and every employee.

We are honest, accountable and good stewards of the public trust.

We are open to ideas for improving the libraries.

We encourage the joy of reading and learning each and every day.

First Amendment Freedoms

excerpt from the Collection Development Policy - 9.18.2018

It is the library's responsibility to collect materials which serve a wide variety of ages, ethnic groups and educational levels with content representing various points of view on all issues without endorsement, restriction or prejudice. The library subscribes to the

The library recognizes that some materials in the collection will not be appropriate for all ages and educational levels. Only the person using the material or his or her guardian can determine what is suitable for that person. Therefore, the library will not deny access to material because of age or educational level.

Urban Libraries Council's Declaration of Democracy

March 2023

Live Oak Public Libraries has signed on to the Urban Libraries Council’s Declaration of Democracy, committing to build policies and actions that preserve and protect democracy in our communities.

History

The Savannah Public Library was established in 1903 in a room at the Georgia Historical Society and contained 23,000 volumes. The main library building on Bull Street was opened in 1916.

In 1945, Effingham County Library joined Savannah Public Library to form The Chatham-Effingham Regional Library, and in 1956, the regional library expanded to include Liberty County, establishing The Chatham-Effingham-Liberty (CEL) Regional Library.

The library’s name was changed to Live Oak Public Libraries in 2002 to reflect the personality of the region as well as the life and growth of its branches.

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