Washington Memorial Public Library Connects the Community with Technology

Today, the Washington Memorial Public Library celebrated a $1 million renovation. With the help of the Bibb County Commission and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the library is now moving with Macon toward the future of technology.

“We worked very closely with Thomas Jones and everyone here at the library and really envisioned together how we can take a beautiful historic building and transform it into a digital learning lab,” says Program Director Beverly Blake, Knight Foundation.

New additions include: 85 computers, wireless Internet throughout the entire building and in Washington Square Park, a new learning lab, two renovated reading rooms, new desks, tables & chairs, new carpeting, lighting, and paint throughout the library. Computer training classes will also be offered for people of all skill levels.

“This is a tremendous investment in the literacy of Georgia, so I think this is the absolute best use of taxpayers money,” says Jeanette Waddell.

She travels from Hancock to the library at least once a month. Chairman Sam Hart also says this is a great addition to the city of Macon.

“As I look around at the diversity of this population, it tells us how valuable what we’re doing is in terms of this private-public partnership.”