Gwinnett — The Gwinnett County Public Library has been named a Top Innovator for 2025 by the Urban Libraries Council, a national nonprofit organization that supports urban libraries across North America.

The honor recognizes the library system’s Hooper-Renwick Themed Library in Lawrenceville, a project focused on equity, inclusion and preserving local history.

“We are thrilled and deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from the Urban Libraries Council,” said Charles Pace, executive director of the Gwinnett County Public Library. “In a period when libraries face renewed challenges, awards like this truly affirm our mission and service to the community.”

The Hooper-Renwick Themed Library was developed following a 2020 agreement between Gwinnett County and the city of Lawrenceville, with input from former students, to restore and honor the county’s only African American high school prior to desegregation. The library includes historical memorabilia, special collections and expanded programming, serving as a modern community hub while honoring the site’s legacy.

“Hooper-Renwick Library represents a unique project in the state of Georgia and possibly anywhere in the Southeast,” Pace said. “We hope to inspire others to explore their own lesser-known history and to highlight marginalized groups.”

The Urban Libraries Council’s annual Innovations Initiative highlights standout projects from nearly 200 member libraries across the United States and Canada, showcasing how libraries continue to evolve as essential community institutions meeting the changing needs of the public.