Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Library

In 1983, a new library building was built across from the Post Office on North Main Street. A book brigade, similar to the old firefighter's fire brigade, passed the books from the Carnegie to the new building. The human chain stretched over three blocks in the passing of the tens of thousands of books. In 1983, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Grim and Mr. and Mrs. L.T. Roberts made significant donations to the library for the purpose of establishing an endowment. The major focus of these donations was to fund a symposium in memory of Mrs. Grim's parents. The Alvin G. and Lydia Todd Brown Symposium have brought such noted authors as Erskine Caldwell, Stuart Woods, Margaret Anne Barnes, Tina Ansa McElroy and Amy Blackmarr as well as children's authors such as Carmen Deedy to rural Georgia. Additional Foundation information is available on the Foundation page.

Computers and Internet access began changing the face of library service in the late 1980s and continue to have significant impact to this day. As a member of PINES, the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Library users have a nearly state-wide library card and can borrow books from around the state and around the world.

Additional photos available online at the Digital Library of Georgia - http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/ The Digital Library of Georgia is a gateway to Georgia's history and culture found in digitized books, manuscripts, photographs, government documents, newspapers, maps, audio, video, and other resources.

After many years, the building was renovated and is now the Carnegie Center for the Arts, home to the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Arts Council. The Center also serves as a performance space and a museum and arts display gallery for the community. Additional information on the Carnegie can be found in the vertical file at the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Library.

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