About Us
Our History
In 1941, Merle Purcell, the county school superintendent established the first library in the Cornelia Public School. Ella Eberhart was the manager over the 349 books and other materials on loan from the state. During the first month of operation, 131 patrons borrowed 366 total items. In 1950, the library's adult collection was moved to a second floor room in City Hall. Mrs. Eberhart retired in 1956. In 1967, under the leadership of Elios Tench, the library moved to a new building next to City Hall on Larkin Street built largely through efforts of Mayor Hubert Ritchie. At that time, the collection had 11,000 volumes. In 1987 the library moved to its current location at 301 North Main Street with Library Board Chairman W.C. Spruill being instrumental in the the construction of the new, larger building. Currently, the Cornelia Library is managed by Joshua Smith and has over 36,000 items cataloged and has over 6,200 registered users.
Our Staff
Josh Smith - Library Manager
Jana Deaton- Office Manager
Cristina Irizarry - Youth Services
Terri Smith- Circulation Assistant
Wanda Paige- Circulation Assistant
Genia Pittman - Circulation Assistant
Habersham County Library Board
City of Cornelia Representatives
Noah Hamil
Jessica Herrin
Perry Rettig - Chairperson
City of Clarkesville Representatives
Margie Williamson - Treasurer
Mel Vailant
Habersham County Representatives
Jennifer Garrett
Wanda Dunn
Gisela McGugan
Board of Education Representative
Donna James - Secretary
Chastity Adams
Contact the Board of Trustees at: hclbtrustees@gmail.com
Board Meeting Schedule
January 23, 5:30 Clarkesville Library
April 24, 5:30 Cornelia Library
July 24, Clarkesville Library
October 23, 5:30 Cornelia Library