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The first Dunwoody library was not in the same location as the current Dunwoody library. It was at 5064 Nandina Lane, where the offices of the Dunwoody Crier newspaper were once located and where Ernie’s Barbershop, Moondog Growlers and other businesses are located today.
The library at Nandina Lane opened in 1980. Former Dunwoody School principal Elizabeth Davis had always dreamed of a library for Dunwoody and was pleased when it happened.
In 1979, Commissioner Bill Williams was able to get $100,000 in county funding for a library in Dunwoody. The space on Nandina Lane had been constructed by local builder Bill Amacher of Amacher Construction, who also finished out the bottom floor of the building to be used as the library.
Bill Williams died in 1979 and his wife, Jean Williams, ran in a special election in early 1980 and took over his position as Commissioner.
The efforts to obtain funds for a Dunwoody library in 1979 were not without controversy. An article in the DeKalb Extra section of the November 29, 1979 Atlanta Constitution, “Patterson questions Dunwoody library plan,” outlines the different opinions of Commissioners Jim Patterson and Liane Levitan. Jim Patterson said district libraries for north and south DeKalb were of higher priority than a library for Dunwoody. Liane Levitan pointed out that Dunwoody residents relied on the Sandy Springs library in Fulton County and were in need of their own library. Patterson further added that there was an area in south DeKalb at Indian Creek Road and Memorial Drive which served a much bigger population and was without a library.
Dunwoody ended up with $100,000 and the plan to move into a retail space in order to have a library.
A dedication was hosted by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club on October 19, 1980. The first book presented to the library was “The Story of Dunwoody,” a book of Dunwoody history written by Elizabeth L. Davis and Ethel W. Spruill. Commissioner Jean Williams and Commission Chairperson Walt Russell made the presentation.
In the updated version of “The Story of Dunwoody: 1821-2001,” by Davis and Spruill with a new section by Lynne Byrd and Joyce Amacher, retired director of the DeKalb County Library System Barbara Loar shares some memories about Dunwoody’s first library and next library. She says the Friends of Dunwoody Library was formed and began raising money for a a new, larger and more permanent facility. Commissioner Jean Williams was able to obtain county funds to purchase the old Dunwoody Elementary School. The school became home to the North DeKalb Arts Center, Stage Door Players, and the library.
A “Book Brigade” was held August 19, 1989, with more than 300 Dunwoody citizens standing along Chamblee Dunwoody and passing books by hand from the Nandina Lane location to the new library.
Other sources cited include: DeKalb News Sun (April 1980), Dunwoody Crier (April and October 1980)