Oglethorpe County Library

Kathleen deMarrais, president of Historic Oglethorpe County, shows the obituary database that was compiled from copies of The Oglethorpe Echo at the Oglethorpe County Library. The database is a publicly available resource for genealogists, researchers and community members. (Photo/Caroline Feagin)

New library database puts more than 6,000 local obituaries online

Caroline Feagin

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Decades of obituaries are just a search away at the Oglethorpe County Library. But few people know the information is there.

A selection of Barbara Cabaniss’ salt and pepper collection are on display at the Oglethorpe County Library. The salt and pepper shakers, which have been accumulated throughout her life, will remain on display until the end of January. (Submitted Photo)

Cabaniss’ salt, pepper shakers fill up library’s display cabinet

Grace Burnett

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Barbara Cabaniss began collecting salt and pepper shakers when she was about 7 years old, after she received her first set from her great-uncle, who passed them down from Cabaniss’ great-grandmother. The collection has grown through the years, fueled by her travels and interests.

Shoppers look over several of the 100 baskets that were available at the fifth annual Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale on Saturday at No. 3 Railroad St. “We get people coming from all over the county to buy the gift baskets and various things,” said Jean Westmacott, the secretary of the Friends of the Oglethorpe Library. (Submitted Photo)

Christmas Bazaar raises nearly $3,000 to help support library

Neva Drane

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

The fifth annual Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale raised nearly $3,000 to support the Oglethorpe County Library and its programs and resources.

Early 20th century postcards of a school building in Maxeys sit in a display case at the Oglethorpe County Library. Several of the postcards feature images that were not used for any other purpose other than the postcard. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Oglethorpe County Library displays part of Gary Doster’s historical postcard collection

Susanna Johnson

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Gary Doster has more than 11,000 postcards in his possession. But not just any postcards. “I have the largest collection of pre-1920 Georgia picture postcards ever,” he said. “There’s no way in the world anybody could duplicate or outdo this collection I’ve got here.”

Children learned about dental hygiene at the Oglethorpe County Library Family Health Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Using a toothbrush and a dry-erase marker, participants cleaned drawings of teeth as a visual lesson in proper care. (Photo/Maura Rutledge)

Glenn, library help connect residents with resources

Maura Rutledge

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Kendarious Glenn saw the need for health care aid in his hometown and decided to return to Oglethorpe County after furthering his education.

Amy Edwards and Steve Hilliard show a selfie from one of their many travels during their presentation at the Oglethorpe County Library on Monday. The couple met in graduate school at the University of Georgia and have traveled together ever since. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Couple shares adventures from traveling the world

Jennifer Xia

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

From birdwatching in Costa Rica to island-hopping through Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Crawford residents Steve Hilliard and Amy Edwards brought years of travel experience to the Oglethorpe County Library’s Lunch and Learn: Color Your World series on Monday.

Former staff, board members and volunteers, including Peggy Hroma (left) and Jane Bowen (right), share memories of when the library opened in 1995. Articles from The Echo announcing the construction and opening of the library give information on the building’s cost and resources available to the public. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Memories abound as library building celebrates 30 years

Elizabeth Kim

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Jane Bowen was there when the Oglethorpe County Library building first opened its doors on June 25, 1995, and was back last Wednesday, when it celebrated its 30th anniversary in its current location.

Folks watch the fireworks during last year’s Fourth of July celebration at Bryan Park. This will be the seventh year the rec department has hosted the fireworks. (Photo/Torin Smith)

More than 50 vendors set for 4th of July celebration

News Staff

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

More than 50 vendors — almost double last year’s total — are expected to be at the seventh annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks at Bryan Park on Friday night. The celebration will start at 6 p.m., with the fireworks planned after dark.

Cory Tillman (left) and library branch manager Nicole Hensley stand with the handcrafted patio set that he helped build as part of his Eagle Scout project. The chairs are an addition to plans to expand the library's patio area. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Boy Scout’s new chairs help kick off library expansion

Elizabeth Kim

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Oglethorpe County Library has added two handcrafted chairs and a table as part of its patio expansion. Cory Tillman, a rising senior at Oglethorpe County High School, completed the chairs with the help of Boy Scout Troop 22 of Athens as part of his Eagle Scout service project.

Nicole Hensley has replaced Katherine Ratcliffe as the Oglethorpe County Library branch manager. She has been with the library since 2021. (Submitted Photo)

Hensley plans to keep ‘vibes’ going at library

Jet Rawls

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Nicole Hensley hoped her name would be called as the replacement when former library branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe announced she was leaving the Crawford location for the Bogart branch. “I had my fingers and my toes crossed,” Hensley said. Her method must have worked.