Greensboro Public Library

Greensboro Public Library. The library serves the residents of Guilford County, North Carolina, including the cities of High Point, North Carolina, and Jamestown, North Carolina. It is a member of the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association and the American Library Association. The library's mission is to provide access to information and resources, promoting literacy and lifelong learning, in partnership with institutions like the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

● History

The library was founded in 1902, with support from Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Over the years, it has undergone several transformations, including the construction of a new building in the 1950s, designed by Edward Loewenstein, a prominent Architect of the time. The library has also been influenced by the Greensboro Sit-Ins, a series of civil rights protests that took place in the city in the 1960s, led by Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, David Richmond, and Jibreel Khazan. Today, the library is a vibrant community hub, offering a range of services and programs, including partnerships with organizations like the Greensboro Historical Museum and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

● Collections and Services

The library's collection includes over 500,000 items, including books, audiobooks, ebooks, music CDs, and DVDs. The library also offers a range of services, including interlibrary loan and reference services, provided by trained librarians from institutions like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Central University. Patrons can access the library's online catalog, which is part of the NC Cardinal system, a consortium of libraries that includes the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Durham County Library. The library also participates in the North Carolina Digital Library, a digital collection of ebooks and audiobooks available to library cardholders, in partnership with OverDrive, Inc. and the North Carolina State Library.

● Branches and Locations

The library has several branches and locations throughout the city, including the Central Library, the Glenwood Library, and the Hemphill Library. The library also offers bookmobile services, which visit neighborhoods and community centers throughout the city, including the Greensboro Community Center and the Carl Chavis YMCA. The library's branches are located near other community amenities, such as the Greensboro Parks and Recreation department and the Guilford County Schools.

● Programs and Events

The library offers a range of programs and events for adults, children, and teens, including author readings, book clubs, and children's storytime. The library also partners with organizations like the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival to offer cultural programs and events. The library's summer reading program is a popular event, which encourages children and teens to read during the summer months, in partnership with the Guilford County Schools and the North Carolina Department of Education. The library also offers computer classes and job training programs, in partnership with organizations like the Goodwill Industries and the Job Corps.

● Architecture and Facilities

The library's Central Library building was designed by Edward Loewenstein and features a unique brutalist architecture style. The building has undergone several renovations, including a major expansion in the 1990s, which added a new children's room and teen room. The library's facilities include meeting rooms, study rooms, and computer labs, which are available for public use, in partnership with organizations like the North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The library also offers accessibility features, such as wheelchair ramps and assistive technology, to ensure that all patrons can access the library's services and resources, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Section 508 regulations. Category:Libraries in North Carolina