GMSHAY Architects Will Design New Live Oak Public Library Branch
Friday, March 20th, 2026
Live Oak Public Library is pleased to announce that local firm GMSHAY Architects will design the new Oglethorpe Library branch.
In a competitive process that began in Fall, 2025 and included national firms, GMSHAY was awarded the design project, after Chatham County Commissioners approved the recommendation of the project committee on February 13th. Senior Principal Patrick Shay will oversee the project on behalf of the firm.
GMSHAY will design a new structure to replace the current Oglethorpe Mall Library, which is outdated and no longer adequate to serve the growing community. The new library will be located at the intersection of Eisenhower Drive and Waters Avenue on property owned by Chatham County.
Funding for the $11.5 million project includes a mix of county, state and federal dollars. The local share is $5.5 million; Live Oak Public Library received $3 million from the State of Georgia and $3 million from the U.S. Government, thanks to a congressionally-directed spending award sponsored by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff.
"We recently worked with GMSHAY to complete a beautiful restoration of the Carnegie Library Heritage Center on East Henry Street," said Lola DeWitt, Executive Director. "We know how intentional and professional they are to work with and that is important. There was stiff competition for this project but their proposal won out."
"The new Oglethorpe Library design will reflect the needs of the local community," DeWitt continued. "Over the coming months, there will be a process by which staff and citizens can share their thoughts on what their future library will be. We believe it is important for the community to share the vision with us."
For updates on this project and other significant capital projects at Live Oak, go to liveoakpl.org/about/capitalprojects .
