Carnegie Library to Undergo Series of Repairs, Restoration

The City of Lavonia is planning a multi-phase renovation of the Carnegie Public Library.

Lavonia’s public library is one of the few Carnegie libraries still in existence and still being used as a library.   The library was built in 1909 with a $5,000 grant from the Carnegie Mellon Foundation, but in recent years, parts of the building have begun to deteriorate.

At their city council meeting Monday night, Lavonia councilmen heard from city manager Gary Fesperman who gave them an update on what is planned.

“The Carnegie Library is a focal point and a historical asset to City, but it needs some attention if we’re going to retain that asset for the city,” Fesperman said.

Fesperman said repairs inside and outside will be done in phases.   The first phase will include repairs to the front exterior.

“The outside has some cosmetic damage to the facia and other extremities, such as the soffets, that needs to be addressed,” he said. “Through the years vinyl has been installed that needs to be removed and wood brought back to its original character and design.”

Fesperman said the doors, which are original to the building, also need repair and the outside brick needs to be reglazed.

Fesperman said the shrubs in the front of the building must also be removed because they are causing water to damage the foundation and are infested with bugs.

The City is working with Joe Rothwell, historic planner for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission who assisted with the Lavonia Train Depot Restoration, on the Carnegie Library repairs.

 Other phases will include restoring the back addition of the library to its original look and repairing the roof line.

Fesperman said they don’t have an exact cost amount yet, but enough money is available to get started.

“We have a certain amount of money to work with,” he said. “We have a $12,500 grant through the Library System. We additionally have some SPLOST funding that we allocated for the library upkeep and maintenance and any repairs that need to be done. So we have approximately $55,000 to work with at present.”

 Fesperman said the city will also apply for other grants to help fund the work.  Initial exterior work on the exterior is expected to  begin in the spring of 2014, Fesperman said.