Three Rivers Regional Library System
The Three Rivers Regional Library System provides services for public libraries and their patrons in Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Long, McIntosh, and Wayne counties.
The administrative offices of Three Rivers Regional Library System are located in Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia.
Camden was the first county to have a member library, in 1949. Six other counties joined the regional library system in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, bringing library services to all of southeast Georgia.
In 2000, the regional library system was named Three Rivers Regional Library System, a tribute to the three rivers – the Altamaha, the Satilla, and the St. Marys – that tie the region together.
Member Libraries
Brantley County Library, Nahunta, Brantley County
Camden County Public Library, Kingsland, Camden County
Charlton Public Library Inc., Folkston, Charlton County
Hog Hammock Public Library, Sapelo Island, McIntosh County
Ida Hilton Public Library, Darien, McIntosh County
Long County Public Library, Ludowici, Long County
St. Marys Public Library, St. Marys, Camden County
Wayne County Library, Jesup, Wayne County
Woodbine Public Library, Woodbine, Camden County
Mission Statement
The mission of the Three Rivers Regional Library System is to provide residents, through its member libraries, access to print and non-print informational, educational, and recreational resources to empower an informed citizenry and enable lifelong learning.
Vision
Our Regional Library System will provide access to library resources and technologies to support learning at every age, helping to build skills and interests needed for life-long success to enhance the intellectual, economic, and cultural development of the communities within the system.
Core Values
Learning environment – Above everything else, the library is a place to learn and discover new information.
Respect – We deliver excellent service with integrity and responsiveness.
Inclusion – All citizens with multiple viewpoints and diversities are recognized for their potential in the community.
Leadership – We will embrace the Library’s role as a community leader and empower staff to learn, innovate, and lead.
Population of the System
The population in 2015 is reported as 144,756, which is a growth of almost 5,000 since 2010. Most growth was in Long County with over 3,000 new residents. While Wayne County lost 565 residents during that time.
The largest age group is 18-64 having 56%
5-18 is 17%; birth through 4 is 7%; and 65 and older is 13%
The system has approximately 58,111 people in its civilian labor force according to Bureau of Labor Statistics report for 2015. The unemployment rate at that time was 6.3%. (https://www.bls.gov/lau/#cntyaa)
Approximately 83% of the people living in this region have a high school diploma and 15% of that have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Geography
TRRLS is located in the lower SE corner of Georgia. The land is low-lying along Georgia’s coast. The soil typically consists of sand and clay for approximately 75 miles inland, and is not very fertile. The land tends to be poorly drained, and swampy areas are common. Early settlers discovered that little would grow here except pine trees and brush, which led to the name “Pine Barrens” for this region. The land is used primarily for pasture and growing pine trees for timber, pulp, turpentine, and other products. (http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/geography/article/geographic-regions-of-Georgia ; 2/9/2017)
Three Rivers member libraries boast an annual circulation of more than 430,000 items region-wide. All Three Rivers libraries are members of Georgia PINES—(Public Information Network for Electronic Services). Library patrons have access to more than 9 million items at more than 275 public libraries in Georgia. PINES offers many advantages that most Georgia libraries could not provide individually, including one statewide library card and free materials loans between member libraries. To learn more about PINES, visit http://www.georgialibraries.org/public/pines.php.
Patrons of any Three Rivers library may also use GALILEO (Georgia Library Learning Online) either at the library or at home. GALILEO provides access to over 150 licensed, commercial databases at no charge to the user. Several databases offer full-text journal articles on a wide variety of subjects. Most databases are available for use outside the library, though a password is required. This password, which is changed quarterly, is available at any Three Rivers library.