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(PHOTOS) Stone Mountain Library reopens

DeKalb County Stone Mountain

(PHOTOS) Stone Mountain Library reopens

Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg library tech Linda Latimore shows some of the story book plush characters she purchased at thrift stores for display in the children’s area while the library was closed for renovations. Photo by Dean Hesse
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This story has been updated.

Stone Mountain, GA — After being closed for two years for renovations, the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg branch of the DeKalb County Public Library reopened its doors for business at 10 a.m. on Friday Aug. 6, 2021.

The day before on Aug. 5, a rededication ceremony was held along with an open house that allowed visitors a sneak peek at the many improvements made that include structural fixes, better lighting, sleeker shelving, a color printer, a rewire of the entire library to include more outlets, additional seating and upgraded restrooms.

“The front of the building was built in 1963 and the back was built in the 80s and nothing had been changed since,” said assistant branch manager Heather Lewis as she pointed out some of the many improvements. “It is so much more inviting, it’s clean and it’s modern and it’s not screaming it’s 1988.”

Branch manager Sara Sellers said, “we have a lot of different things that we’d like to do in the community. One of which would be to display art from different artists from Stone Mountain. The idea would be to have the art displayed on our arts rails we have in different parts of the building and display community talent, what it is the community has to offer, who it (the community) is. It’s a really good passive programming way to get people to come into the library, but also to introduce them to what it is that their community has to offer.”

Sellers said artists interested in having their work displayed should come in and speak with her or Assistant Manager Heather Lewis. Due to material shortages, a few items are not yet in place, like a new custom circulation desk and some shelving finish pieces.

“Eventually it will be complete and is going to look fantastic.” Said Lewis.

The Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library is located at 952 Leon Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Hours are Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Thurs-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Presiding officer and District 4 DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw looks over the improvements at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Bradshaw allocated $1.5 million for the project. Photo by Dean Hesse.

A view of the renovated Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Teresa Totten, programming & services coordinator for DeKalb County Public Library,
arranges gift baskets provided by the Library Foundation that were awarded to winners of a trivia contest held during an open house at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug, 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.

DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson talks with people during a rededication ceremony for the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Speaking during the event, Cochran-Johnson committed to allocating the necessary funds for the installation of a gazebo along with an edible environment at the library. Photo by Dean Hesse.

A view of the renovated children’s area of the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Signage on the floor reminds visitors to social distance at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond speaks during a rededication ceremony for the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.

City of Stone Mountain Mayor Pro Tem Chakira Johnson speaks during a rededication ceremony for the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Johnson said, “We are just so grateful to be here today in this renovated space. We are grateful for the Friends of Stone Mountain Library who as an organization raised the alarm, they made good trouble, as well as the county commissioners.” Photo by Dean Hesse.

DeKalb County Public Library Director Alison Weissinger speaks during a rededication ceremony for the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. DeKalb CEO Michael praised Weissinger for her leadership of DeKalb libraries. “Dekalb County is extremely fortunate to have her at the helm. She has skillfully guided our library system during the pandemic, making sure the public had as much access to materials and Wi-Fi is as is reasonably possible,” aid Thurmond. Photo by Dean Hesse.

During a rededication ceremony Aug. 5, officials from DeKalb County government, City of Stone Mountain government, the Georgia Public Library Service and DeKalb County Public Library cut a ribbon to celebrate the reopening of the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. Photo by Dean Hesse

Sara Fountain, Board of Trustees, DeKalb County Public Library, on left, and Joe Davich, Director, Georgia Center for the Book, on right, with State of Georgia Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn, who holds a print of “Returning to My Childhood Library” a poem she wrote for the rededication of the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.

On Aug. 5, Heather Lewis, assistant branch manager and adult services librarian at Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library points out some of the facility improvements made during renovations. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library branch manager Sara Sellers said she hopes to display the work of Stone Mountain artists on the libraries new art rail hanging system. Photo by Dean Hesse.

A portrait dedicated to the memory of Sue Johnson Kellogg hangs in the lobby of the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Etched glass gifted by The Friends of Stone Mountain Library in 1991 was relocated from the children’s area to a more prominent location at the meeting room during the renovations. Photo by Dean Hesse.

A view of the computer area and new carpeting at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library on Aug. 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.

New soft seating and additional outlets were installed during the renovations at Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. Photo by Dean Hesse.

An open house on Aug. 5 gave visitors a sneak peek at the renovated Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library before it’s official reopening Friday, June 6. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Mike Cooper, president Friends of Stone Mountain Library who were instrumental in making the improvements happen. Speaking during the rededication ceremony, Cooper said, “I’m glad our Friends group could play a small part in this. I’m proud to see this new facility that will serve neighbors, students and the greater Stone Mountain community.” Photo by Dean Hesse.

An open house on Aug. 5 gave visitors a sneak peek at the renovated Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library before its official reopening Friday, June 6. Photo by Dean Hesse.

The Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library is located at 952 Leon Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.
Hours are Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Tues-Thurs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the hours of operation of the library. This story has been updated with the correct information.

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