From left to right celebrating the ribbon-cutting and reopening of the Carnegie Library Heritage Center:

• Pastor Andre Osborne of First Tabernacle MBC
• Ambria Berksteiner, LOPL Regional Library Board of Trustee Chair
• Chester A. Ellis, Chair of Chatham County Commissioners
• Lola DeWitt, LOPL Executive Director
• Laura Nottingham, Chair of the Chatham County LOPL Board of Directors
• Temakha, musical artist

By Betsy McCullar, Director of Communications & Partnerships at LOPL

The transformation of Savannah’s historic Carnegie Library into the Carnegie Library Heritage Center was years in the making. While plans for renovation were underway, Tropical Storm Debby damaged the building in August 2024, creating unexpected challenges and ultimately reshaping the vision for one of Savannah’s most important cultural and historic landmarks.

The building originally opened as “the Carnegie Colored Library” in 1914, thanks to civic-minded African American Savannahians who raised funds and petitioned Andrew Carnegie for matching support. After federally mandated integration in the 1960s, the library was absorbed into what is today the Live Oak Public Library (LOPL) system. While the building remained an important symbol for generations of Savannahians, its history also includes periods of closure and loss of collections. Recognizing this part of its past became an important factor in shaping its future as the Carnegie Library Heritage Center. 

The delay in renovations created an opportunity for library leaders and community members to reflect on the Carnegie Library’s impact on generations of patrons and sparked conversation about how it might best serve future generations as well. 

Director Lola DeWitt saw an opportunity to both restore the historic building and strengthen its role as a cultural hub for future generations by reopening as the Carnegie Library Heritage Center. As such, the center now exists to preserve and celebrate the powerful legacy of the community.  

Throughout this transformation, it was essential to get the blessing of multi-generational African American Savannahians for whom the Carnegie Library was so meaningful. LOPL formed an advisory committee that included leading local citizens, some of whom had grown up using the Carnegie Library.  This group helped shape the mission and vision of the library and continues to advise today. 

During Black History Month 2026, the building reopened as “the Carnegie Library Heritage Center,” with a joyful celebration including music, community affirmations, and a libation ceremony.  

Programming is already underway, and patrons are using dedicated resources for digitizing and preserving their personal stories. The Center is acquiring new materials to round out the legacy collection and will hold museum-quality exhibits, oral history recordings, and interactive displays to uplift stories and connect generations.

Post renovation, a notable new feature proposed by the architecture and design firm, GM Shay, includes two pocket gardens adjacent to the building’s distinctive front staircase. They are inspired by the good works of Mother Mathilda Beasley, a formerly enslaved woman, whose lifelong commitment to the care and education of African American children in Savannah extended to gardens and green spaces.

In June, Gordian, a leading construction and technology firm, bestowed an Award of Merit to the project construction team, recognizing the expertise and quality of this historic structure’s restoration.

As Georgia’s first and only system designated as a Book Sanctuary Library, this project is consistent with LOPL’s commitment to offering welcoming spaces for all and ensuring that shared history is not erased.

For more information about the Carnegie Library Heritage Center and Live Oak Public Library, go to https://liveoakpl.org/about/CLHC.