Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Central Branch

I wish I can give this Library a five star it’s sad how this Library is so close to a school where College kids have to attend, this Library feels like your going to visit someone in jail with security and there rude attitude, This library is filled with alot of homeless people hanging out here on a regular bases, it’s takes a hour and a half to get on the computer, I just did not feel safe here.

Whenever I visit a new city I make a point of visiting the central library. The outside was cool, Bauhaus. The inside was depressing as could be. Really a small collection for a city of this size. Really drab interior. Left feeling depressed, wondering what people have missed out on by not having a central resource center.

let me start by saying i am not impressed with this library.
it’s big, spacious, and beautiful on the outside and when you first walk in, but let me tell you what i didn’t like:
–security searches your bags when you first walk in
–the bathrooms aren’t located on EVERY floor
–the staff occasionally yells on the intercom
–you’re not allowed to plug your phone at the laptop station
the desks at the laptop station on the 4^th floor are all broken
–the chairs on the 2^nd floor are all uncomfortable short wooden stools
–the exit way is too narrow
This library is great for using their computer, but I wouldn’t suggest going here if you really needed to study

BYE-​BYE
This is the most confusing Library I have ever tried to find. We were directed to this particular library because my husband was trying to find a very specific research book that was not available at the other branches. We had attempted to have the book transferred to our local library but the wrong items were sent. So, we decided that we would just go down to request the book in person.
The physical location of this library is described as One Margaret Mitchell Square, but there is no such address. It is actually on the corner of Peeples and Oak Street. The cell phone navigator sent us deep into the «hood» and then we switched to the GPS which took us to this location. Parking was atrocious and the closet lot was $ 10 which we were not willing to pay for a 15 minute stop. We drove around a bit and were able to find free street parking approximately two blocks away. This library is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta and so you will encounter panhandlers and the homeless wandering about.
When we go in, I have to open my purse so that it can be checked to make sure that I am not carrying a handgun. I was immediately uncomfortable as this is a huge but very old building that appeared to be sparsely stocked, (for it’s size), and just had a lot of unused space. Every floor reminded me of a creepy basement.
We were directed to the third floor, then to the first floor and finally to the Auburn section. Auburn is a separate library but is being temporarily housed at this location while its building is under renovation. Although my husband was not able to obtain what he needed, (the volume he needed was «missing») the librarians were very helpful and agreed to contact my husband should they locate the missing book.
I can honestly say that this was my first and last visit to the Atlanta Public Library.

I have never seen so much physical violence by this staff. Its ridiculous, just look stuff up on your cell phone.
You have to stand up to use the computer while the lazy staff sits around bossing people around.

Today I renewed my library card. Not only did I feel like a grown-​up, but it was also a fun downtown adventure. I felt like Mary Tyler Moore walking around exploring the streets. I was sporting my new red Unilocal Elite watch, my new white Unilocal sunglasses, flip flops, a gray tee, and holey jeans. My version of downtown hip. I really felt like I fit in. Then I saw a few groups of GA State students who weren’t dressed like me. Oops.
Renewal was simple and the lady that helped me was super nice. She didn’t even laugh when I said «Soooo… the books are upstairs, right?» She smiled and replied, «Yes. Third floor.»
I walked upstairs and stopped in the second floor bathroom. I probably would have given more stars if I hadn’t walked in on a homeless person bathing in the sink. I didn’t really think too much about it, but it must have been pretty grimy. I mean, even he put his bag on top of a piece of newspaper. I should have lifted my pant legs so they didn’t drag behind my flip flops.
Oh, and what did I leave with? Nothing. They didn’t have the book I wanted. Apparently «How The Jews Became White Folks» is only available in North Fulton County. In hindsight I probably should have assumed that before I looked.

Good place to come for free wi-​fi anywhere in their library. Workspaces for computer users with power access for your laptop and personal computers to sign up for on the 4^th floor. Be prepard to have your backpack opened for inspection upon entering.

So I am not sure why I am giving this library four stars, but after yesterday’s adventure it deserves nothing less. In preparation for my upcoming PCAT I’ve been reading and devouring through the books that I’ve bought and never read (damn you grad school). This meant it was time for us to journey to the library, but the one I frequent was closed (Buckhead branch).
The first time I came here back in March 2010 for some audiotapes for a road trip and I learned they had a security line. I signed up for my new card which is next to the security line. They wouldn’t let the one guy in because he was packing heat, and that has prevented me in coming here for a year.
Anyways back to our visit yesterday. They opened at 2:00 pm and there were about 100 people waiting out side to get in. It was like a festival and people were breakdancing. so cool and definitely a place to go people watching. The building is modern and built circa 1980, and the concrete could use a good washing. It feels dirty inside and not clean and efficient-​looking like I would expect. Please do not let that deter you though. I went up to the third floor to the fiction, found everything I needed in five minutes, and check out downstairs in 10. They also have the largest collection of fiction I’ve seen in a long while.
Pretty painless and close to MARTA in case you don’t care to pay for parking.
#Yelp365 — ⁶⁶⁄₃₆₅

This library is kind-​of a big deal.
It was built over Carnegie Library, which was an elegant, classical structure that they demolished (as usual) to build a sleek, modern one. So that’s the bad news. But the good news is that Atlanta Central Library was designed by Marcel Breuer, a la the Bauhaus, and it was his last work before he died at 81, so it is not only a big deal for Atlanta, but also, it is totally awesomely designed, inside and out. How many other cities can say they have a German Expressionist library drawn up by a Bauhaus celebrity? We sure are lucky to have it. It should definitely be used for more than a homeless toilet.
There is a need for some refurbishing but this is a very important structure, not only to Atlanta but to a worldwide community of architects that Bauhaus minimalism influenced. There have been talks across the last couple years about bulldozing it in favor of a new building designed by ai3. We should support this library as much as possible, contact the city commissioner if necessary, and make sure this important piece of history isn’t erased as easily as its predecessor.

I grew up going to the library. Nope, no dolls or make-​believe tea parties for me. Lots and lots of books. So when I started working downtown I discovered the glories of the Central library. Past the homeless characters and Gucci knockoffs is a cement building full of books and more. You can borrow from, transfer to, and return at any branch. I’m government-​job-​poor; cable, the Friday night movie, and Netflix are luxuries. Armed with my free library card, I can queue movies just like Netflix! They have most new books and movies, though the brand-​spankin’ new releases have a bit of a wait. There are also lots of interesting events going on. Did you know that Margaret Mitchell’s original works are housed on the 5^th floor? I agree with hiccups in the «hold» system but hey, it’s free. The front desk staff is friendly and helpful. Super convenient to MARTA.
It’s not as big as the central libraries in other major cities but I think it’s does a pretty good job for what it is.

Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate public libraries and may go to this location every now and again because it is closest to me and, well, I like books (although those GRE study guides have been sitting in my trunk for 2 weeks and have not been looked at– oops).
This library, however, helps me realize that the private sector is just, well, more efficient.
First off, going into this library is frightening for me. Unjustifiably or not, it is located smack dab in Downtown, close to Underground Atlanta (aaahhh, scary place). But hey, if I were homeless I would want to reside in the library too! Plus, there are policemen on every floor, and one checks your bags at the front. Although this should make me feel more safe, it also helps me acknowledge the fact that I am in a shady place.
Ok, back to the efficiency of some public places. This is the deal: I put a book on hold a few weeks ago– The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell to be exact. Basically you can do that and it will send you an email A) when the book is ready and B) which library to pick it up at.
So, following my first email to come pick it up, I (like I was supposed to do), went to pick it up. Ten minutes later I have two people looking for it to no avail. Evidently the system had thought they had it in when, in actuality, they didn’t?!? Whatever, mistakes happen.
The librarians proposed to delete my first hold and set another hold up for me so the system would not falsely email me again.
I was surprised when like three days later, I got another email indicating for me to pick up my book. Once again, I went and it was not there! I even called before but the automated system was not working with me and I could never get a human on the line (gosh I hate when that shit happens!!!)!
So, to conclude, can I ever see this happening at Barnes and Noble?! Hell no. However, it is a tradeoff because the library is free, and I like free… I will continue to go to public libraries, but will avoid Central Library if I can!

This is the library all the other libraries tell you to go to when you look for books there. This place simply has 10 – 20 times as much material as any of the other local branches that I know. The aisles of reference stretch quite forever: perfect for hiding from someone you don’t like.
The downstairs mixes children’s with a pretty nice A/​V section, where they have a pretty hefty selection of DVDs and CDs, including new releases. Feeling like saving $ 4 on a rental? Drop in and use your card.
There also meeting rooms that you can reserve here if you need a quiet place to study, or for holding a small group meeting, etc. There’s usually at least one open.
Their periodicals section is also rather large, with subscriptions to more magazines than I’ve seen at any other public venue.

The main Atlanta Public Library branch is located Downtown. They have the largest selection and it’s massive with a wealth if information, books and events. I used to go to research when I was in college. Whether is children’s books, foreign language or the reference section, this is great location. The library is easily accessible by Marta and right off of Peachtree Street. Visit
for hours and information.

If you don’t like to wait for a book to be transferred to a more convenient branch, then this is your spot. This is the main headquarters for the county library system, and it has the largest collection in the Atlanta-​Fulton system, and the odds are good that if a book isn’t checked out in the system you’ll find it here. There are a large number of computer terminals to choose from here as well as rooms for meetings and classes and a large auditorium.
If I need a book in a hurry, this is where I’ll go. There isn’t really any parking nearby unless you luck out with a metered spot on the street. Take MARTA if you can.
This location has been around since 1980, and the building itself is a cool example of brutalism if you’re interested in the whole architecture thing…