By Tracy McCormick-Dishman
The Nassau County Public Library system is cutting hours and staff at multiple branches this budget year, including a reduction at the Yulee branch that has been open just three days a week since July 1, down from five. The Bryceville branch is set to close entirely, and the Fernandina Beach branch will move from six days a week to five. The system will also eliminate one and a half staff positions.
Friends of the Yulee Library (FOYL), a volunteer group that supports the branch, says the reduced schedule leaves the library inaccessible on its closed days, including for book drop pickup or room use. Members also said the branch is one of the few free public gathering spaces in a part of the county that has added thousands of residents in recent years, and that some residents are still unaware the library exists.
“It’s a pillar of civilization,” said Nancy Bowyer, president of the Friends of the Yulee Library. “We wouldn’t be where we are today if we hadn’t had public libraries.”
Upcoming public hearings
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners has scheduled two public hearings on the coming year’s budget, which takes effect Oct. 1. Both hearings will be held at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Pl., Yulee.
- Sept. 14 at 5 p.m.
- Sept. 28 at 5 p.m.
Both hearings are part of the commission’s regular meeting schedule. Members of the public may speak during the hearings; each speaker is limited to three minutes.
Friends of the Yulee Library has sent letters to all five county commissioners asking them to support funding for the library and said it has not received a specific commitment in response.
The group is asking Nassau County residents to attend the Sept. 14 and Sept. 28 hearings and speak in support of restoring the Yulee branch to a five-day-a-week schedule. Residents who cannot attend in person can still submit letters of support to commissioners ahead of either meeting.
Contact your county commissioner
- John F. Martin, District 1 (Fernandina Beach), (904) 570-2594, jmartin@nassaucountyfl.com
- A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann, District 2 (South Amelia Island, Nassauville, O’Neil), (904) 319-0686, ahuppmann@nassaucountyfl.com
- Jeff Gray, vice chair, District 3 (Yulee, Chester, Blackrock), (904) 570-1946, jgray@nassaucountyfl.com
- Alyson R. McCullough, chair, District 4 (Hilliard, Bryceville, Boulogne, Kings Ferry, Nassau Oaks), (904) 319-0689, amccullough@nassaucountyfl.com
- Klynt A. Farmer, District 5 (Callahan, West Yulee), (904) 570-1357, kfarmer@nassaucountyfl.com
Under Florida’s public records law, emails sent to county officials regarding government business are public record.
