Upcoming library branch named after longtime board member, volunteer

The Middle Georgia Regional Library honors the late Catherine Ivey with new branch name

6 hours ago

Finn Balfour,

Cathy Ivey Community Library September 24 2025 — (Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Middle Georgia Regional Library has named their newest branch the Cathy Ivey Community Library.

According to MGRL, Catherine “Cathy” Ewing Ivey joined the Friends of the Library in 1978 as a member on it’s Board of Directors. Ivey also served four terms as president over the years. She continued her work with Friends of the Library until her passing on April 7, 2025.

Additionally, Ivey served on the Macon-Bibb County Public Library Board from 1996 to 2001, and held a position on the MGRL board of trustees for two years.

The library says in a news release, this new branch will honor her legacy and nearly half a century of service.

“Literacy was extremely important to Cathy. Bringing community members together was incredibly important to her, and the value of a public library as a community space was important to her,” says Director of Libraries, Jennifer Lautzenheiser. “Those are three things that are just integral to that particular facility, and so it’s just really fitting that it’s being named for her.”

MGRL Marketing Coordinator Andrew Willis says that the new branch at 5494 Forsyth Road is expected to open October 13, 2025. Once open, it will offer full library services to North and West Macon-Bibb.