Savannah’s Carnegie Library reopens with reimagined purpose

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah’s Carnegie Library on East Henry Street is reopening as the Carnegie Library Heritage Center, after months of being closed due to Tropical Storm Debby water damage and basement erosion.

The library has been closed since August.

Now the library has transformed into a re-imagined space that functions as a special collections library.

The former mayor of Savannah, Dr. Otis Johnson was at the ribbon cutting and explains why reopening the doors is an accomplishment for the community.

“I am elated that this has come almost full cycle now, from closed to almost abandoned, to new life and a new future,” said Johnson. “It makes me happy to be here and to have been apart of the advisory committee that talked about what this would become.“

The transformed special collections library will preserve and celebrate the legacy of this cultural beacon that served as a source of knowledge and empowerment during segregation and beyond.