The Carnegie Center is housed in the 1903 Carnegie library of Atlantic City

The Carnegie Center is a former public library in Atlantic City. The historic building is at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard, one block west of the Boardwalk. It served as for a period as an instructional site of Stockton University.

Architecture and history

The public library was founded in 1903 with overwhelming support of residents, who voted (6,062 for to 30 against) to create it.[1] It was originally named the Atlantic City Free Public Library.[1] It was one of thirty-six Carnegie libraries built in New Jersey with matching grants by Andrew Carnegie. His Carnegie Corporation granted $71,075 to the city on January 22, 1903 for construction.[2][3] Work on a $50,000 contract began in September 1903[4] and was completed in 1904.[5] The library was developed by architect Albert Randolph Ross, who also designed the library now used for the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. and the Orange Public Library.[6] With the words "Open to All" engraved above its main entrance, the building was dedicated on January 2, 1905. Carnegie wrote, “I trust the Library will fulfill its mission in the highest degree, becoming the center of light to all people.”[1] Ross used a symmetrical classical style design include central stacks open to the public, natural light in public areas, separate public spaces with specialized materials (rather than one large reading room). The building had art gallery, museum, and meeting rooms to promote education through different media as well as books.

While the building received some renovations, the exterior remained intact and the interior was only slightly altered. The three-story, 9,000-square-foot structure features a marble, granite, terra cotta exterior, terrazzo floors, Scagliola-finished columns, and marble and iron staircases.[1] It was used by the Atlantic City Public Library until 1985,[7] when it relocated to a larger building completed in 1985 at Tennessee and Atlantic avenues.[8]

The Carnegie Library was used by miscellaneous municipal offices until finally abandoned in 1994, no longer able to meet contemporary needs without substantial upgrades. The building stood vacant for nearly seven years.[9]

Re-opening as Carnegie Center

The collaborative efforts of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), the City of Atlantic City, and Stockton University enabled the preservation and renovation of the historic building.[9] The redevelopment project was planned to create a satellite site for the College's classes in the city, as well as for continuing and professional education, and community uses. Stockton College is located in nearby Pomona, and has developed other facilities in Atlantic City to make its offerings accessible to more people.

Starting in 2001, the building received renovations of more than $5 million after which it was used by the university. In fall 2018 Stockton opened its Atlantic City campus and phased out use of the Carnegie Center. In 2022, under the agreement with the CRDA and the city of Atlantic City, the building was returned to the City of Atlantic City.[10]

The building includes a 75-seat lecture hall, multi-purpose room seating forty, state-of-the-art computer laboratory, a 15-seat executive conference room, and three seminar rooms, each with 25-person capacity.[11] It is equipped with the modern communications technology, including wall-mounted displays, high-speed wireless Internet access, document cameras and VCRs.

The Civil Rights Garden, a tribute to the Civil Rights Movement, was developed adjacent to the Carnegie. It is used in support of public lectures, receptions, and other events.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Carnegie Library Center History". Stockton University. 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  2. ↑ Bobinski, George S. (1969). Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library Development. Chicago: American Library Association. ISBN 0-8389-0022-4.
  3. ↑ Jones, Theodore (1997). Carnegie Libraries Across America. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-14422-3.
  4. ↑ "Preparing the Exodus from the New Jersey Resorts" (PDF), The New York Times, August 30, 1903, retrieved 2011-10-12
  5. ↑ "Carnegie Library Center - Atlantic City, NJ". Waymarking. September 11, 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  6. ↑ "Library History". Port Jervis Free Public Library. Archived from the original on 2011-09-14. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  7. ↑ "ATLANTIC CITY'S SEASON; A Carnegie Library to be Erected at a Cost of $60,000. Dangerous Sport of Canoeing on the Ocean in Favor -- Plan to Reclaim Vast Tracts of Meadow Land.", The New York Times, p. 24, 1903-02-15, retrieved 2011-10-12
  8. ↑ "Library History". Atlantic City Public Library. 2 January 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-11-12. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  9. 1 2 Strauss, Robert (September 9, 2001), "BRIEFING: EDUCATION; ATLANTIC CITY BRANCH", The New York Times, retrieved 2011-10-12
  10. ↑ https://www.trentonian.com/2022/04/08/stockton-returns-ownership-of-carnegie-center-to-city-of-atlantic-city/
  11. ↑ "Carnegie Library Center". South Jersey Cultural Association. Archived from the original on 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2011-10-13.

39°21′34″N 74°25′51″W / 39.359391°N 74.430753°W / 39.359391; -74.430753

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