History
The Newnan Carnegie Library was Newnan’s first public library opening in 1904. It served as a library until 1987 when it became an overflow courtroom for the County Courthouse. When Coweta county erected a new Judicial Center in 2007 and moved out, the Carnegie building became vacant again. Within weeks, a grassroots contingent and hundreds of citizens under the banner, Friends of the Carnegie mobilized to bring the Carnegie back. Mentored by Dr. Shirley Spears, Library Director of the BB Comer Library in Sylacauga, Alabama, and the First National Library Service Award Winner, the Friends circulated a ‘Needs Survey’ to all demographic groups to ascertain what the building should be. The local press jumped on board and the Mayor lent his support. Within a year, the Newnan City Council became as enthused as the citizens themselves … and the library conversion was underway! The Carnegie was funded by the General Fund and partly by the 2007 Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The Carnegie’s total renovation cost to the City of Newnan was over $1.5 million. Headley Construction Corporation served as the general contractor on the project. Architectural services were provided by Carter Watkins Associates who succeeded in creating an interior design that was period correct for the early 1900’s. Friends of the Carnegie reorganized as The Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation and was granted status as a 501(c)-3 Charitable Corporation in late 2007.
When the Carnegie Library re-opened in 2009, it welcomed the people of Newnan to a center of learning at the very heart of the community. With the legacy of generosity and vision of Andrew Carnegie, the library is sustained and staffed by the City of Newnan. With the support from NCLF members, the Carnegie is able to provide dynamic, educational, and enriching programming which is the cornerstone of our mission.
To accomplish our mission we need your help!
Join us in the NCLF and become a partner in creating this exciting future for your hometown. Private donations and corporate sponsorships are vital to the quality programming the NCLF supports. All contributions are tax-deductible and go directly to support the Newnan Carnegie Library.
With your help we:
Host innovative programs for children
Fund nationally known authors for lectures and book signings
Share lessons of history through visiting scholars
Increase literacy and the joy of learning for all ages
Provide essential materials and equipment to help the Carnegie Library thrive
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Southern Litfest
Newnan’s own Southern Litfest returns! Literature, nature and art intersect as we “unplug” and discover the joys and challenges of living off the grid. Joining us will be legendary original Riverkeeper Sally Bethea, Ansel Adams award winning outdoor photographer CC Lockwood, LPBS star Gwen Roland of Atchafalaya Houseboat fame, Newnan Theatre Company’s classic animal romp, Aesop’s Fables. and back by popular demand syndicated columnist and humorist Sean Dietrich! Southern Litfest kicks off Friday evening alfresco on the Square with a Hometown Novel Writers Association lineup of regional authors for every age– so grab a friend, mix and mingle and find that great summer read!
Join us! Unplug, unwind and don’t miss out on the fun! Visit the Southern Litfest website by clicking here for more information!
Exercise is Medicine
The NCLF and the Piedmont Newnan Fitness Center helps the Carnegie fund the Exercise is Medicine program. EIM is a community wellness class for prevention and management of chronic disease conditions and is a circuit cardio alternating safe and easy to follow low-impact aerobics with strength conditioning and uses elastic tubing with handles for resistance training and core strengthening. The EIM program includes “move and learn” activity designed to offer those of all ages with chronic diseases the cardio-strength-flexibility and balance training needed to safely improve chronic health condition symptoms. For more information on the next EIM class please visit the Carnegie calendar or contact Jessica Dunnington at jdunnington@newnanga.gov.
Summer Children & Teen Programs
With the support of a grant from the Newnan Kiwanis Club, the Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation brings a variety of children’s programs to the Carnegie every summer. In the past, we have hosted magicians, puppet makers, storytellers, a petting zoo, a professional chef, literacy programs, and circus fun. Click here to catch a glimpse of our 2023 Summer Programs! We will be announcing our Summer 2024 programs at the Spring Festival on Saturday, April 13th!
Mayor Brady’s Summer Reading Challenge
Each summer the NCLF and Mayor Keith Brady host a summer reading challenge! We had over 90 people participate in 2023 and we had so much fun at the end of the summer party. We would like to thank our 2023 Summer Reading Challenge Sponsors: Let Them Eat Toffee, Wishbone, Whit’s Frozen Custard, Mad Mexican, Fabiano’s, Cakes by Debbie, and Rock Salt Milk Bar. Stay tuned for information regarding Summer 2024.
Lunch & Learn
The NCLF presents a quarterly Lunch & Learn at the Carnegie Library. Each quarter a diifferent topic is presented by a subject expert from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Patrons are able to bring their lunch as they enjoy the speaker. Past prorgam topics have included The Story of Nicholas Winton, LaGrange Symphony Oechestra, What You Can Do for Wildlife, The Amazing Story of American Industry in WWII, Prohibition Expedition Through the South, Political Dialogue, Hotsports to Watch Around the World, Writing Your Own Stories, The restorative Power of History and The Story of Historic Bellevue. For more information on the next Lunch & Learn class please visit the Carnegie calendar or contact Jessica Dunnington at jdunnington@newnanga.gov.
Edgar B. Hollis Distinguished Author Series
The Edgar B. Hollis Distinguished Authors Series began at the Carnegie in 2012. A native of Newnan, Georgia, Edgar Baldwin Hollis left a generous bequest to benefit Newnan’s citizens in the hopes that many lives in the hometown he loved so much would be touched by his gift. Mr. Hollis grew up in Newnan, graduated from Newnan High School and received a bachelor’s degree in History and a master of Humanities from Emory University. He spent most of his professional career in Washington, D.C., working for the National Security Agency's Inter-Library Loan Division but would often return to his family home in the historic downtown area of the city. The Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation is honored to be selected to commemorate his legacy through an annual series of distinguished lectures to be held each year at the Carnegie Auditorium a place he would have been so familiar with during his life. Edgar B. Hollis passed away at his home in Newnan on June 17, 2006. We are proud to bring these notable authors to Newnan and Coweta County
Barnes & Noble Book Fair
The Barnes & Noble Book Fair happens during the first weekend in December. A portion of your purchase will be donated back to the Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation at no additional cost to you. The money raised goes back into buying books for our book collection. Stay tuned for information regarding our 2024 Book Fair.
NCLF Board
The Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation Board of Trustees is a volunteer-led board comprised of community members dedicated to the mission of the Foundation and the Carnegie Library. Click here to read the End Of Year 2023 letter from the NCLF Board. You can contact the Board by emailing NCLFGeorgia@gmail.com.
