Wallace Design Collective

The Harris County Public Library had problems. They had outgrown their current space, the staff was forced to be creative about how to shelve books, and they were unable to provide quality programs. They even had to regularly turn away children from summer reading events.

Now, at 15,000 square feet with multiple spaces for events and programming, the library can better serve its patrons.

Built adjacent to an existing community center, the new facility is a focal destination point in Hamilton, a rural town with around 1,100 residents located just north of Columbus, Georgia, in Harris County, a large rural area southwest of Atlanta. The library was funded by Georgia’s social-purpose local-option sales tax, state funds and public donations. The new library is three-times larger than the facility it replaced. Features include a teen area – the high school is just down the road – makerspace with both traditional crafts and technology, quiet study room, self-service business center, children’s area that encourages exploration, a dedicated Friends of the Library storefront and space with a fireplace for patrons to lounge.

Photos: ©Scott Wang Photography