Apple's Carnegie Library store in Washington D.C. opening May 11

An earlier photograph of Carnegie Library before Apple's construction work.

A process that started in 2016, Apple's outlet at the famous Carnegie Library will be opening to the public for the first time on May 11, with an opening time set for 10am. Construction on the outlet has been ongoing, but aside from a confirmation from the building's owner in March that building work was nearing completion, this is the first time Apple has confirmed when it will be ready for public use.

The store's page on the Apple website plays on the history of the building, with a large multi-font message of "Together let's create the next chapter" at the top of the page.

"Inspired by the rich history of Carnegie Library, we are reimagining Apple Carnegie Library as a brand-new space to learn," the site states. "Where everyone is welcome to come and discover all kinds of creativity, connect with new ideas, and share their stories."

To help celebrate the opening, Apple will be holding a series of events at the outlet under the "StoryMakers Festival" name. Taking place over six weeks from May 18 until June 29, a total of 40 creators will be holding sessions at the store, teaching customers "how to express your own stories with photos, music, video, and art and design."

Sessions at the store are being headed up by GoldLink, Nigel Barker, and No Kings Collective, but there will also be some events being held before the festival takes place. On the opening day, there will be an Art Battle with Pow! Wow! DC and Secret Walls, as well as a Music Walk teaching how to create soundscapes with GarageBand, while Kevin Coval will be holding an Art Lab on May 12 titled "Ode to What You Love."

Apple's new store is thought to be around 19,000 square feet in size, with Apple paying market rent and a sum of between $1 million and $2 million to Events D.C., the building's owner, to cover losses relating to the Apple Store being in the space versus its prior usage. Apple is believed to be renting the space on a ten-year lease, with two optional five-year extensions available.

As part of the conversion, the library's book collection has been relocated elsewhere. Initial plans showed Apple wanted to convert the reading rooms into product demonstration areas, with the main space holding Apple's "Genius Grove," most likely following other major stores in using the "Town Square" concept featuring live trees and a large video screen.