Thursday, January 11, 2024

Charleston County Public Library will open the renovated John L. Dart Library, located at 1067 King Street, on Monday, Jan. 29. The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. at the branch. “We’re excited to show patrons the incredible transformation that has taken place at Dart,” said CCPL Executive Director Angela Craig. “The updates at the branch offer the surrounding community a modern library equipped with resources, services, and technology that complement our updated collection.”

The John L. Dart Library closed in October 2022 to undergo renovations as part of the ongoing $108.5 million referendum-funded project passed by Charleston County voters in 2014 to build five new libraries and renovate all existing branches. Updates include:

  • new interior finishes
  • replacement of shelving
  • refreshed collection items (books, audiobooks, etc.)
  • new furniture
  • technology upgrades
  • a new community meeting space

Designs for the renovations were created by Liollio Architecture with MB Kahn handling construction. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include speakers from the library and Charleston County Government, as well as elected officials. In addition to the ribbon cutting, patrons will have the opportunity to meet the branch staff, take pictures with CCPL’s mascot Owlbert, explore the branch, and more.  

Dart Hall, which was later replaced by the John L. Dart Library, was one of the original library branches established in 1931. Dart existed as a library for many years before the Charleston County Library adopted it as a branch. Dart Hall was originally built as the Charleston Industrial Normal Institute by the Rev. John L. Dart, a distinguished educator and a leading minister of the city. The current Library was built by the County Council in 1968 and named in honor of the late Rev. John L. Dart. Dedication ceremonies were held on Dec. 12, 1968, with members of the Dart family present.

A mural that wraps around part of the building honors Cynthia Graham Hurd, a 31-year library employee who was among those killed in the Emanuel AME Church shooting in June 2015.

For more information about this library branch and updates on the construction of the other facilities, please visit ccpl.org/construction.