Service Alert
Hege Library & Learning Technologies
Service Alert
Hege Library & Learning Technologies
The Carnegie Room is located on the main floor of the Hege Academic Commons. Because of its historic significance to the College as its first free-standing library, the focus for use of this space is on faculty- and staff-sponsored curricular and co-curricular events, as well as events hosted by the Offices of Admissions, Advancement, the Provost, and the President, and it is heavily utilized for these types of gatherings.
It is not available for reservation by individuals, groups, or organizations for unaffiliated social or promotional events. Additionally, the room cannot be used for social functions such as dances, games, or other related activities.
Review the Carnegie Room Reservation Policy for further information. Reach out to library@guilford.edu with any questions.
Please note: Reservation requests may not be placed directly by students or alumni, or by others who are not members of the immediate Guilford community. Faculty or staff organizational or internship sponsors must place requests on behalf of their students.
Please use this link to request a reservation.
Historical Information
The Carnegie Room opened in 1909 as Guilford's first building dedicated to serving as the college's library. A fire on January 13, 1908 destroyed the rooms housing the earlier library collections. On January 22, 1908, Guilford President Lewis Lyndon Hobbs and Board Chair J. Elwood Cox wrote to philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to solicit building funds. Carnegie agreed to provide $9,000 -- half of the initial library construction costs. Over 2,500 libraries were built throughout the United States between 1883 and 1929 with funding from Andrew Carnegie. Four were constructed within the current city of Greensboro but only Guilford's is still part of a library building. The others were two public libraries downtown (one for African Americans and still standing on the campus of Bennett College and the other no longer present but built for white use) and an earlier library at UNC-G (built as their library in 1905 but now the Forney Building). Guilford's library expanded over the years. The current Carnegie Room was renovated to restore original woodwork and decor in 1978. The historical room is listed as a contributing feature for the college's status as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.