NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Public library services across Nassau County are undergoing schedule cutbacks and facility shutdowns, including reduced operating hours in Yulee and Fernandina Beach and the upcoming permanent closure of the Bryceville branch.
The changes take effect as the Fernandina Beach branch ends Saturday service, leaving the county without any weekend library access.
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The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners approved the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget on Monday, which includes an 8.2% budget cut for the public library system. County leaders cited an operational review as the driving factor behind the decisions.
In a statement to Action News Jax, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners said in part that the review “evaluated several data points, including facility usage, staffing, operating costs, service hours and geographic coverage.”
The schedule adjustments impact branches throughout Nassau County. The Yulee branch has been restricted to operating Monday through Wednesday since July. With the Fernandina Beach branch ending its Saturday operating hours, no public library branch in Nassau County will remain open on weekends. Fernandina Beach resident Jim Flournoy voiced concern over the reduction in branch access.
“I’m disappointed,” Flournoy said, adding that he was “very disappointed to hear Bryceville’s closing entirely. I think that’s kind of a real loss to that community out there.”
RELATED: Nassau County Public Library System to cut Saturday hours and close branch
Volunteer advocates with the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library are raising concerns about the cutbacks. Claudia Zane, vice president of the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library, noted the reliance community members have on branch facilities.
“The library hour cuts is sad too because a lot of people are disappointed and really use the facilities,” Zane said.
Mary Louise Hester, president of the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library, stressed that the Fernandina Beach location drew visitors from across the region because it was the only county library operating on weekends.
“People from all over the county would come. It’s not just Fernandina Beach people,” Hester said.
Hester added that the group is working to address the service loss, stating, “this is really an important change and it’s one that really we’re trying to find a solution for.”
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Questions were raised regarding whether the library budget cuts were connected to Amendment 3, a measure on the upcoming state ballot that would eliminate property taxes across Florida. A county spokesperson confirmed the 8.2% budget reduction is not related to Amendment 3.
The Bryceville branch is scheduled to permanently close all operations on Oct. 29.
On Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fernandina Beach Library, City Manager Sarah Campbell and Nassau County Commissioner Alyson McCullough will be holding a meeting about how Amendment 3 will impact the county and the city if its passed.
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Brandyi Phillips, communications manager for Nassau County, sent Action News Jax the following statement about the library system changes:
“The Nassau County Public Library System has implemented schedule adjustments and will close a branch location as part of a broader operational review. This initiative ensures Nassau County’s library operations and resources are being utilized effectively while aligning services with the needs of the community. This review evaluated several data points, including facility usage, staffing, operating costs, service hours and geographic coverage.
“On Sept. 28, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. The approved library budget is $2,058,665, representing an 8.2% decrease.
“Timeline of recent library system changes (when the changes go into effect):
- July 2026 (already effective): the Yulee branch transitioned to a Monday-Wednesday operating schedule.
- Oct. 1, 2026: the Fernandina Beach branch will transition to a Monday-Friday schedule and will no longer operate on Saturdays.
- Effective Oct. 29, 2026: the Bryceville branch will close due to relatively low service usage compared to other library system locations. It will maintain normal business hours until this date.
“To maintain service continuity for Bryceville residents, the County is actively working to install an outdoor locker system allowing patrons to pick up requested materials onsite. The existing book drop at the Bryceville facility will also remain open and available for material returns.”
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