One of Coweta County’s most familiar landmarks re-opened with fanfare Tuesday in Newnan. The 1904 Carnegie Building downtown re-opened after nearly a year of renovation and will serve as a reading room and meeting area.

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, the large crowd of adults and children gathered in the second floor meeting room heard comments from Newnan Mayor Keith Brady and others whose combined efforts contributed to the renovation and re-opening. One of those speaking was Pennsylvania resident, Andrew Carnegie historian and children’s history magazine writer and editor Glenn Walsh.

Walsh gave an overview of Carnegie’s philanthropic efforts and his desire to have libraries available to everyone, including residents of small towns. In the case of the old Carnegie Library in Newnan, the occasion of its re-opening holds a special significance, he said.
“Newnan is probably the only Carnegie library anywhere to be transitioned to another purpose and re-opened as a library,” Walsh explained.

The Carnegie renovation project was funded by the 2007 Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) at a cost of more than $1.5 million.

Newnan Public Information Officer Gina Snider said the Carnegie has brought back library type services in the downtown area. The bottom floor of the building serves as a reading room and the second floor as a meeting space. Among its many offerings, the Carnegie brings popular magazines and newspapers, computer workstations and Wi-Fi access, a gallery for local exhibits, meeting rooms with warming kitchen and programs for adults and children, said Snider. The Carnegie will serve the public with a non-circulating reading room, children’s area, and an art gallery. It seeks to be an integral part of the community by offering print and electronic materials.

Built in 1904, the Carnegie Building is one of the most historically significant structures in downtown Newnan. The building served as a library until 1987 when a new facility was constructed on Hospital Road. With its iconic lighted sign that states the “City of Homes” on top of the building, citizens recognize the Carnegie when they drive through historic downtown, Snider said.

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