About Us

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. After retiring in 1956, Mrs. Eberhart was succeeded by Mrs. Bob Ramey, Nan Holbrook, Lucille Dimon, Ruth Daniel, Isabelle Coffee, Glenda Ward Shore, Yvonne Berrong and then in 1967 by Elios Tench. That same year, 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. Other previous managers inculed Geri Ingram, Wally Warren, Annabelle Wiley, and Justin Haynes. Currently, the Cornelia Library is managed by Josh Smith. Today's library has over 35,000 items for check out with over 4,500 registered users.

Staff

Josh Smith - Library Manager

Tiffani Arriaga - Children's Coordinator

Jana Deaton- Office Manager

Wanda Paige- Circulation Assistant

Terri Smith- Circulation Assistant

Genia Pittman - Circulation Assistant

Habersham County Library Board

City of Cornelia Representatives
Jessie Owensby - Vice Chair

Jessica Herrin

Perry Rettig
City of Clarkesville Representatives

Margie Williamson

Trudy Crunkleton
Habersham County Representatives
Jennifer Garrett - Treasurer
Patrick Ledford- Chairman
Wanda Dunn
Board of Education Representative

Donna James - Secretary

Chastity Adams

Contact the Board of Trustees at: hclbtrustees@gmail.com