Welcome to your library

Fbtsc/fti &o HISTORY AfieVcome . . . £. Ж B.S- ЕЛЬ S.G. Ж в TO YOUR LIBRARY The Public Library of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Is Yours... Use It for Pleasure and Profit HISTORY: On February 16, 1906, the Carnegie Public Library, with 2,500 volumes, was opened to the citizens of Winston. The building, located at Third and Cherry Streets, was a gift of Andrew Carnegie. The cities of Winston and Salem were merged in 1913; at that time, the Carnegie Public Library became the public library for Winston- Salem. Through the years, the population increased from approximately 10,000 in 1906 to 146,135 (population of City and County, area served by the library) in 1950. In 1950 a movement was started to improve the library service by improving the physical facilities. Private funds were solicited by the board chairman for a new main library building and a Negro branch. As soon as funds were in sight for the new building, a library book fund campaign was started. A fund of approxi¬ mately $160,000 was raised for books. The construction of the new main library began on January 2, 1952, and the building was dedicated on March 26, 1953, and opened to the public the following day. The 2,500 volumes have grown to 65,000 volumes in 1954. In January 1954 construction began on a branch building for the Negro patrons; this building was completed and dedicated on November 14, 1954.