Human book chain in Milledgeville transfers books into newly remodeled library

The renovated Mary Vinson Memorial Library is scheduled to open in January 2026.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – People in Milledgeville gathered Tuesday to move thousands of books by hand from the Hancock branch to the newly renovated Mary Vinson Memorial Library.

Director of libraries for the Middle Georgia Regional Library System Jennifer Lautzenheiser says they are thrilled so many community members came out to help.

“It is incorporating the full community and this event,” she said. “They have been great troopers, as they navigated the smaller temporary location.”

She says this new library is special to Milledgeville residents and will give them a solid location to read and educate their children.

“The whole orientation of the building has been shifted to better serve families that come to both locations,” she said. “The footprint of the facility inside has been reworked, so it has more usable space, so they can better serve the community through meetings and opportunities to come together for community building. It’s really a community-led renovation.”

Young adult specialist Dabney Kinser has worked with the library for almost 15 years. He says it has been a special place and is thankful to be a part of the library’s continued growth.

“And so, over the years of working here and working with that age group, it’s been wonderful to build relationships, to see them come in and engage with our materials and programs, build friendships and connections, ” he said. “And I have teens that are now fully grown adults that come back and talk to me and update me on their lives, and I think it’s a great thing to be a part of.”

The Mary Vinson Memorial Library, located at 151 South Jefferson Street, will open in January 2026.