Bogart Library Reopening Includes News About Watkinsville Library

The good news of the grand reopening of the Bogart Library on Saturday morning got even better as the ribbon cutting ceremonies progressed.

“I want to thank you all for coming out and welcome you to your newly renovated and expanded Bogart Branch Library,” Valerie Bell, executive director of the Athens Regional Library System, said at the start of the ceremonies a little after 11 a.m.

Bell then introduced state Sen. Bill Cowsert, Georgia State Librarian Julie Walker, Chair of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners John Daniell, Bogart Mayor Terri Glenn, Oconee County Board of Trustees Chair Robert Wyatt, and state Rep. Houston Gaines, each of whom made comments.

Cowsert was the first to speak, and he congratulated those present for their success in bringing about the renovation and then announced that the state budget now on the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp includes money for an upgrade of the Watkinsville Library.

Wyatt, who followed Walker, Daniell and Glenn in speaking, underscored Cowsert’s announcement about the funding for the Watkinsville Library.

“On Thursday, as you already have been told, we got the good news that we are in the state budget for $1.9 million to go with $1.7 million in local funds to begin construction of a new library in Watkinsville,” he said.

For more on the story, including a video of the ribbon cutting ceremony and of a tour of the facility, please go to Oconee County Observations.