Why this Macon library has waited years to get money for needed improvements

Located in a tiny portion of a converted shopping center in East Macon, the Shurling Branch Library struggles with a lack of space and resources, outdated tech and an old building that lacks many of the modern features of other libraries in the area.

The building was first constructed in the 1960s and has seen few improvements since. Jennifer Lautzenheiser — director of the Middle Georgia Regional Library System, which oversees the Shurling Branch — said in recent years the library has faced challenges offering the necessary spaces and services to patrons due to the building’s size and age.

“We take a lot of pride in our old buildings, but we need to upgrade them and keep them current and relevant to the community,” Lautzenheiser said.

Lautzenheiser said the Shurling Branch Library is seeking around $1.8 million to fund renovations to the library, and while Bibb County is supporting the project, securing funding has been hampered for nearly a decade due to state politics.

What renovations does the library want to make?

Lautzenheiser said the Middle Georgia Regional Library system tailors each of its branches to fit the unique needs of the communities they serve. The Shurling Branch sees high demand for computers and other technology support, but the current size and setup of the library means it can only fit a limited number of desktop computers.

The library does have Chromebooks it can loan to patrons, but many don’t have reliable wifi at home. Additionally, Lautzenheiser said patrons typically have more questions about Chromebooks, which can be difficult and time consuming to troubleshoot.

“It means our staff are that much busier because the tech questions are a little bit more in-depth than your general Google question,” Lautzenheiser said.

The Shurling Branch also struggles with accessibility issues. Much of the library’s space is taken up by a large, winding ramp that leads to the library’s lower level, where story times and events are held. The ramp is steep and bumpy, Lautzenheiser said, making it unfriendly to patrons in wheelchairs.

The proposed renovations would get rid of the ramp to free up more space for computers and bookshelves. To make the lower level of the library accessible, Lautzenheiser said Middle Georgia Regional Library wants to add an elevator.

“Families who might have accessibility challenges are excluded from (activities) and opportunities,” Lautzenheiser said. “That’s a challenge we want to overcome.”

The proposed renovations include smaller tweaks too. Lautzenheiser said the library wants to add private study rooms to the library to give patrons a space to make calls, join meetings or just have a quiet place to work.

The bathrooms in the library are also outdated, and proposed renovations would add diaper changing stations to both bathrooms instead of just having one in the women’s bathroom.

“We’re looking at what we can do to make sure (the Shurling Branch) serves the community in the best way possible,” Lautzenheiser said.

What’s holding up the renovations?

To secure the $1.8 million needed for renovations, the Shurling Branch Library’s proposal was added to a list of library projects from around Georgia requesting state funds.

Known as capital outlay projects, the proposals are placed on a list maintained by the Georgia Public Library Service, a state-level organization that offers training and resources to libraries across Georgia.

Nathan Rall, assistant vice chancellor of planning and programs with the Georgia Public Library Service, said libraries submit their proposals to be added to the list. In order to qualify, half of the funding must come from local sources. State money will cover the remaining half.

According to county records, the Macon-Bibb County mayor and the county commission set aside $900,000 in 2016 for the proposed renovations to the Shurling Branch Library. That’s around the same time the Shurling Branch was added to the list of capital outlay project proposals requiring state funds.

Rall said the state budget has enough money to fund about 10 projects off the list a year. The Georgia Public Library Service recommends 10 projects annually, which are submitted based on need. If the library in need of improvements is a central library — the main library in a system that supports branch libraries — that factors in.

However, the Georgia General Assembly doesn’t always follow the list. Which libraries receive funding may involve politics, with many legislators funding libraries based on what their constituents want.

“They listen to their constituents,” Rall said. “They’re the ones that talk to those legislators and convince those legislators to support their projects.”

As a result, the time a proposal may spend on the list varies widely. Rall said there have been proposals that receive state funds the same year they are added to the list, while others may stay on the list for a decade or more.

Lautzenheiser said she knew when the Shurling Branch first joined the list it could be years before it saw the needed money, but it’s been disappointing to see it passed over year after year.

Middle Georgia Regional Library staff and patrons were excited earlier this year when the Shurling Branch’s funding made it into a proposed Georgia House budget, but the proposal didn’t survive the Georgia Senate, so Shurling Branch remains in waiting.

Lautzenheiser said her biggest concern is that by the time the proposal gets state approval, the cost of the improvements will have risen and exceed $1.8 million.

“We continue to invest in it, but there are just some significant structural upgrades that have to happen for it to still continually meet the needs of the community,” Lautzenheiser said.

However, Lautzenheiser continues to push library staff, patrons and community members to support the Shurling Branch, and remains committed to securing the funds to help the library reach its full potential.

“There was that big excitement about, ‘Oh, I think they are going to get funded,’ and then we didn’t get funded,” Lautzenheiser said. “We want to encourage everyone to hang in there with us, see the value of us.”

This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM.