Mission

The Azalea Regional Library System’s mission is to provide constituents with equal access to educational, informational, and recreational print and digital resources and services in order to encourage life-long learning, further development of an informed citizenry, and support the innovative, academic, and creative endeavors of the communities it serves.

History

The Azalea Regional Library System has a long and rich history, spanning almost 70 years.

1952: Officials from Jasper and Morgan Counties sign an agreement to form the Jasper-Morgan Regional Library

1954: The Eatonton-Putnam County Library joins the Jasper-Morgan Regional Library. The new system is commonly called the Jasper-Morgan-Putnam Regional Library, though not officially changed in the constitution and bylaws.

1958: The Jasper-Morgan Regional Library officially changes its name to the Uncle Remus Regional Library and officially includes the Eatonton-Putnam County Library. The Regional Library serves Jasper, Morgan, and Putnam Counties.

1959: The Hancock County Library becomes part of the Uncle Remus Regional Library.

1986: Walton County joins the Uncle Remus Regional Library. The three Walton libraries located in the City of Loganville, City of Social Circle, and the City of Monroe are now a part of the library system. The system is renamed the Uncle Remus Regional Library System.

1992: The Greene County Library joins the Uncle Remus Regional Library System.

2012: Walnut Grove Library opens to the public. This is the fourth Walton County library, located in the City of Walnut Grove. The regional system is now composed of nine member libraries in six counties.

2020: The Uncle Remus Regional Library System officially changes its name to the Azalea Regional Library System. This name was chosen by the Regional Board of Trustees to reflect a moniker that was more representative of the six counties that comprise the regional system. The azalea is the official wildflower for the State of Georgia (adopted April 19, 1979) and blooms from March through August in all parts of the state. Various native species can be found in all of the counties that make up the Azalea Regional Library System, displaying brilliant shades of white, pink, orange, scarlet, yellow, and purple.

2022: The Azalea Regional Library System was awarded Georgia’s 2021 Public Library of the Year. The system was recognized for their programming and services that demonstrate knowledge and care for their communities, despite coronavirus pandemic limitations. Azalea Regional Library System reimagined its services and programs during COVID-19, obtaining grants and launching new services in communities that could otherwise not afford them.