Riverside Public Library permanently shutting doors

The closing date of the Riverside Branch Library is July 27.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Middle Georgia Regional Library is closing its Riverside branch soon after opening its doors more than 25 years ago.

“The services that we offer at our library branches is a little bit different based on the community were located and of course Riverside is one where they tailor their services and they’re book collection to the needs and request of that community,” said Andrew Willis,  the Marketing Coordinator of Middle Georgia Regional Library System.

Willis says the Riverside branch first opened in 1999 and quickly became a staple in the community

“As I understand it a lot of the patrons loved this library especially because of the children services; things like puppet shows, children literacy programs and that’s just one example of some of things patrons really loved about this branch,” Willis said.

But after a tough decision, Middle Georgia Regional Library and Macon-Bibb Commissioners decided to close it and open a new branch. According to MGRL, Macon-Bibb County can only fund one branch in such close proximity.

The new branch will be located on at 5494 Forsyth Road.

Willis said an opening date has not been set.

The closing date of the Riverside Branch Library is July 27.

Also, it’s still too early for MTA a to make the call on whether there will be a bus stop for the Forsyth Road location.

Right now, MTA’s Public Information Officer Jami Gaudet said it’s in the discussion, study and analysis stage.