The Mildred L. Terry Public Library will resume normal operating hours on November 20 at 1pm.

About Us

Our Mission and Vision

Service, Passion, Inclusion, and Community are the cornerstones of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries (CVL), helping guide us in our vision to improve our community’s quality of life through reading and discovery. Located in West Georgia and anchored in the city of Columbus, we serve a diverse mix of urban and rural constituencies that respond positively to proactive community partnerships.

CVL consists of seven physical branches, two bookmobiles and two automated 24-hour library kiosks. It is owned and operated by the Muscogee County School District but has its own board of directors, with the members appointed by the School District Board. CVL receives additional funding from its rural service communities and from a private endowment dedicated to providing operational expenses. Libraries have been providing service in our community since the 1830s. Every day we live our mission to our community… to be Your Place, Your Partner, and Your Library.

Strategic Plan

We are your place.

We create a high quality user experience, making the library a community-trusted destination physically and online.

  1. We believe public means everyone, and prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion in all we do
  2. We provide equitable access to vibrant and convenient public spaces for work, study, enjoyment, and expression.
  3. We tell the library’s story to increase public awareness and usage of library resources, events, and services.

We are your partner.

We are a valuable community partner, and form innovative partnerships to enhance value for all stakeholders. 

  1. We provide exceptional learning experiences for young minds through engaging materials and dynamic programming.
  2. We serve families with children who are most at-risk for being inadequately prepared for kindergarten.
  3. We deliver resources, events, and services to support student success.
  4.  We actively reach beyond our walls to support the least connected across our community.
  5. We cultivate supporters and advocates as community partners to have both immediate and long-term impact.

We are your library.

Through reading and discovery, we engage the public with enriching resources, services, and events. 

  1. We satisfy curiosity and provide opportunities for lifelong learning and engagement for all through our events, resources, and services.
  2. We champion digital equity, providing free access for participation in digital life.
  3.  We impact our community economically through personalized assistance contributing to workforce development, financial security, and overall well-being.
  4. We believe that enthusiastic, well-trained staff are essential to meeting community needs.

Our Values

Service – We believe that enthusiastic, well-trained staff are essential to meeting community needs.

Passion – We seek to deliver our service with heart, and to share the joy of reading and discovery.

Inclusion – We want our community to feel welcome, and our staffing to reflect our community.

Community – We strive to know who we are here to serve, where we are needed most, and how we can provide access for all.