 Our Library in 2007 The Geneva Public Library was started in 1904 by Emma Knox Kenan. The small collection of books began in a cloakroom. Mr. W.W. Benson was school superintendent and invited everyone to a book shower at the school house. A hundred books were collected and the library was on its way. The library nearly came to an end two different times.  Emma Knox Kenan The Flood  1929 Flood in Geneva Alabama In 1929, the collection of books then housed in the National Guard Armory, Known as the Military Club House, was destroyed by the flood. Mrs. Kenan wrote to the Montgomery Advertiser: "After the flood waters had receded sufficiently for me to go down to the Military Club house where our library was housed, I looked through the windows on a scene of havoc. Bookcases were turned upside down, glass fronts broken, shelving torn out and our choice collection of books and magazines under two feet of mud. Two wagonloads were shoveled out of the window. A few on top I rescued and will see what the bindery can do for me. I said to someone, 'I am nearly 69 years old and see the wreck of a quarter of a century of work, but I am ready to start again as we did in the beginning'." This moving appeal for help brought in hundred of books from friends everywhere. Jim Johnson and Joel Johnson wrote letters of requests for books and by August 1929, the library was again open to the public. The FireMidnight, January 9, 1930, a downtown fire totally consumed the clubhouse and the newly gathered library. But neither flood nor fire could kill the spirit back of the library and, again, friends came to the rescue with books. The library was now lodged on Mrs. Kenan's spacious veranda. At this time, the minister of the Presbyterian Church, W.B. Clemmons, a lover of books, secured one thousand books, among which were some much needed reference and children's books.
In 1927, the property where the library now stands at the corner of Church and Commerce Streets was purchased. This site was selected because it was on the fringe of the town's commercial and residential areas. The building was erected in 1932 after Lee Ashcraft of Atlanta, a former resident, gave 82,000.00 for the project. The funds were matched by local interests, donations from businessmen, housewives and school children.
According to July 4, 1903 Geneva County Reaper, the Advisory and Building committees took the design from Hadley's book of library plans. The building was said to be a replica of the Sharon, Massachusetts Public Library. The building was constructed by Geneva contractor, J.P. Carter, Sr., who was also the son-in-law of Emma Knox Kenan.
The main entrance is located center front, second level. It is round with arch doorway of the colonial revival style. The name is engraved in concrete. The original door has been replaced with a glass one. There are oak banisters and stairs connecting the levels. The Johnson addition was added in 1975 and is architecturally identical to the original building. The original arched windows are used on the new second level, south wall. Waid, Homes and Associates were architects for the new addition which was constructed by Vickers Construction.
Located on the grounds is an old water trough which originally stood at the intersection of Commerce and Town Streets in front of the Geneva County Courthouse. Inside the building is an old school clock which for years rang the bells at the old school building, now torn down, and the County Courthouse stands in its place.  Miss Rebekah Kenan Librarian 1943 - 1974 Miss Rebecca Kenan, daughter of Emma Knox Kenan, was Librarian from 1943-1974. Letter to the Editor of the Montgomery Advertiser in 1929 "Geneva Desire to Restore Its Library"
(Reproduced from Montgomery Advertiser) Editor The Advertiser:
I am writing you in behalf of Geneva Public Library, of which I have been president since its organization twenty-five years ago. At this time, a handful of public minded citizens inaugurated the movement by a donation party, the admission fee being a book - ninety-five were brought in. From this small beginning in the year 1904, by patience, perseverance, and the determination not to fail, we assembled a library that would do credit to towns of greater size than Geneva, our book list numbering nearly 3,000.
After the flood waters had receded sufficiently for me to go down to the Military Club House where our library was housed, I looked through the windows on a scene of havoc. Bookcases were turned upside down, glass fronts broken, shelving torn out and our choice collection of books and magazines in two feet of mud. Two wagon loads were shoveled out of the window—a few on top I have rescued and will see what the bindery can do for them. I said to someone, "I am nearly 69 years old, and see the wreck of a quarter of a century of work, but I am ready to start again as we did in the beginning."
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