MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Library lovers in Baldwin County can rest easy, at least for awhile.
The county and the city of Milledgeville have come to an agreement to fully fund the library system through 2020.
Tuesday's Milledgeville City Council meeting was stuffed with library goers and was even attended by the Baldwin County commission.
They all came to hear the announcement of approval for an agreement on library services. It was welcomed with standing applause.
The agreement was already approved by the Baldwin County Commission and the Twin Lakes Library System Board of Trustees on Monday. It will fund the library through 2020 and reopen the closed Lake Sinclair Branch.
Director Stephen Houser said it allows them to keep serving the Baldwin County community.
"More than anything, this is a continuation of what we've been having. It keeps us afloat, keeps the state money coming in and keeps us doing what we want to do which is provide library services for the community," Houser said.
Supporters stormed the county courthouse in protest earlier this month, spurring action by both parties. Houser called it crucial aid.
"The value that the library has in their lives and the ability of them to demonstrate it in an eloquent and passionate way has been wonderful to see," he said.
The city council approved the agreement with some concessions. Interim City Manager Hank Griffeth said some language in the agreement about the need for other government agreements besides the Service Delivery Strategy was unnecessary.
They rewrote parts of the document and it will have to go back to the county commission and library board of trustees. Leaders of both parties anticipate the agreement will be signed by the end of the week.
"We have shared with the county and the county's legal counsel that it is our contention that the service delivery strategy that is in place is still active, is still what we need to be following," Griffeth said.
However, Griffeth is confident that Tuesday's agreement is a good sign for future negotiations with the county.
"I hope it is the beginning of us being able to do a good job negotiating some of those aspects of the service delivery strategy," he said.
The county commission will hold a called meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the county courthouse to address the agreement changes.