The Charleston Carnegie Public Library, built in 1904, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a centennial series.

Students interested in genealogy can visit the CCPL at 7 p.m. Thursday for a panel discussion hosted by Calvin Smith and Larry Bates.

Smith and Bates will discuss beginner genealogical tools. The panel will talk about “how to” basics and ways to speed up searching and recording processes, said Sheryl Snyder, the library’s executive director.

The centennial series, which includes a variety of events, started in May and will continue through February of next year. It will honor Andrew Carnegie, illustrate the library’s role in the community and present a bold vision for the future.

Like all Carnegie libraries, Charleston’s stands as a monument to one man’s vision. Carnegie believed in the power of knowledge and spent much his fortune on an empire of libraries.

On Oct. 3, 1901, Charleston was allotted $15,000 to build a public library.

With funds from the city of Charleston matching Carnegie’s grant, the CCPL was completed three years later.

An open house marking the 100th anniversary of the CCPL will take place on Oct. 19th.

“Because the original open house was in January, probably a little chilly, we’re going to open the corner stone on Oct. 19th and see what they thought would be really

interesting in a hundred years,” Snyder said.

A disc jockey will play music and centennial T-shirts will be given away.

“The library has something to offer all students,” Snyder said.

Information about the CCPL and a complete list of upcoming centennial events is available at www.charlestonlibrary.org.

The centennial series celebrates self-education and is a foundation for future development.