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Bibb County libraries to close after commission cuts funding

Three out of the four libraries in Macon close Monday after Bibb commission cuts library funding.

Josiah is one kid who comes to the library a few times a month for story time. His mom and other parents are in the library checking out books for their kids, while other visitors are using the public computers. Josephine Beard is one parent who knows exactly what her son likes to read.

Josiah and other parents like Beard found out that their neighborhood Shurling Branch Library is closing down until the Bibb County commission can agree on a budget that includes library funding.

Josiah usually reads a lot of books at this library.

But that will no longer be the case on Monday. The Bibb County commission will stop funding for the Shurling Branch Library, the Riverside Branch Library, and the Charles A. Lanford Branch Public Library. Beard says the Washington Memorial Library is simply too far.

"The other branch, the Washington Library, is all the way downtown, so if you don't have transportation, you're not getting there," said Beard.

Library Director Jennifer Lautzenheiser says the commission is cutting $2.8 million from these libraries so the Washington branch will run until its reserves run out. Beard says if her kids can't read this summer, they won't have anything to do.

Beard said, "And I was here yesterday with my kids and signing my kids up for the literacy."

She says that program is something her kids can't use now. She says they will have to read as much as they can until Monday.

Beard says, "See my 10-year-old likes science stuff. He's a big nerd."

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