For Immediate Release

Library Interim Director:
Stephen Whigham
912-652-3601 O
whighams@liveoakpl.org

Library Media Contact:
Patricia Knight
912-652-3664 O
912-713-1929 M
knightp@liveoakpl.org

SAVANNAH, GA, APRIL 6, 2017 - Live Oak Public Libraries is pleased to announce that Carnegie Library, located at 537 East Henry Street in Downtown Savannah, was named one of Georgia's 10 most beautiful libraries by the Georgia Public Library Service today.

Carnegie Library opened its doors to the African American community in August of 1914, and was a cornerstone of African American accomplishment and education. It was a vibrant center of life then and continues to be so today. Through the hard work and vision of the founders, a legacy was created which continues to play a pivotal role within the community. 

For more than 100 years, Carnegie Library has played host to hundreds of thousands of children, families and adult readers. Two famous child patrons who grew up to hold nationally recognized roles, crediting their love of books and learning to their time in the stacks at Carnegie Library are U. S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and Pulitzer Prize winning author James Alan McPherson. 

Carnegie Library is the second oldest of the top 10 Most Beautiful Libraries in Georgia, which are listed in chronological order.

Georgia's most beautiful libraries will each be recognized at a 2 p.m. ceremony on April 10 at the Mary Willis Library - the state's first free library and the first in Georgia to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Headquarters of the Bartram Trail Regional Library System, the library is located at 204 East Liberty Street in Washington.

Bull Street Library, Savannah's second Carnegie grant-funded library, will also be recognized as one of seven additional public libraries that "did not make the final 10 but whose architectural significance or spectacular settings make them equally worthy destinations for travelers."

Read more about Carnegie Library's history.


Vintage Photo. From the Carnegie Library Archives
Carnegie Library with modern additions.
Live Oak Public Libraries Mission
Live Oak Public Libraries provides excellent, responsive service to enrich people's lives, support lifelong learning and build and enhance our communities.

Andrew Carnegie and Public Libraries in the United States   
Industrialist Andrew Carnegie did not invent the notion of the public library, but he did ensure through his philanthropy that public libraries would flourish across the country. Using funds from Carnegie and under the supervision of James Bertram, 1,689 public libraries were constructed in the United States. Within the state of Georgia, 24 public libraries were constructed with grants from Carnegie.