Fulton County Library System - Central Library

The story of the library system in Atlanta began more than 30 years before Atlanta’s first public library was built in 1902.

OUR HISTORY:
For a fuller history of the library system (from which this brief version is adapted), you are invited to read 100 Years of Library Service: A History, which was originally written for the library system's 100th anniversary. The present Fulton County Library System began in 1902 as the Carnegie Library of Atlanta, one of the first public libraries in the United States. In 1935, the Ci

ty of Atlanta and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners signed a contract under which library service was extended to all of Fulton County. In 1982, Georgia voters passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the transfer of responsibility for the library system from the City of Atlanta to the County. On July 1, 1983, the transfer became official, and the system was renamed the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library. In May 1980, a new Central Library was opened to the public under the leadership of Ella Gaines Yates, the first African-American director of the library system. Marcel Breuer, a participant in the innovative Bauhaus Movement, planned and designed the building, working closely with his associate Hamilton Smith. The Central Library was dedicated on May 25, 1980. Breuer was unable to attend the dedication ceremonies and died a year later on July 1, 1981, at the age of 81. In 2002, the centennial of when library service was first offered to the public, a major renovation of the Central Library was completed. In April 2004, the Library System instituted Sirsi's Unicorn, a state-of-the-art library automation system including iBistro, a virtual portal to resources at the library and throughout the world on the Internet. OUR MISSION:
The Fulton County Library System serves as a cultural and intellectual center that enriches the community and empowers all residents with essential tools for lifelong learning. The Fulton County Library System serves the citizens of Fulton County and the City of Atlanta (including the portion of the city in DeKalb County). It is the largest in the state, with 34 libraries. It offers innovative programs, services, and virtual resources tailored to meet the needs of each branch's community. Children, teens, and adults may choose from a variety of classes, visit exhibitions, listen to authors discuss their work, check out videos, DVDs, and CDs, attend book club discussions, get homework help, hear music and see live performances. The Central Library, originally designed by Marcel Breuer, recently reopened to the public after a 3-year renovation project, part of the Fulton County Library Bond Program, which also saw the renovation of 21 branch libraries, the new construction of 8 libraries, and the expansion and renovation of 2 libraries. The Central Library's newly completed facility was reopened to the public in October 2021. The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American History and Culture contains one of the foremost collections of African-American literature and historical documents in the nation. To fulfill its mission as "The People's University," the library also provides a wide variety of classes, workshops, seminars, and ongoing learning opportunities for library users at all learning and interest levels.

We had so much fun with Dork Diaries author-illustrator duo Rachel Renee and Nikki Russel on Saturday! We chatted about the latest edition of Dork Diaries in full color and got to meet the duo afterward. Rachel Renee and Nikki surprised us with a special personalized Dork Diaries video and goodie bags for all attendees. A select few also received their very own Dork Diaries style portrait drawn on stage by Nikki! Special thanks for the Atlanta-Fulton Library Foundation, Page Turners Make Great Learners, and Village Books for making this program amazing!

#fulcolibrary #dorkdiaries #yearofthebook #authortalk #DorkDiariesInFullColor

05/19/2026

We had the best time celebrating Dork Diaries in Full Color with author-Illustrator duo Rachel Renee and Nikki Russell on Saturday! Special thanks to and Village Books for making this event extra special.

We had so much fun with Dork Diaries author-illustrator duo Rachel Renee and Nikki Russel on Saturday! We chatted about the latest edition of Dork Diaries in full color and got to meet the duo afterward. Rachel Renee and Nikki surprised us with a special personalized Dork Diaries video and goodie bags for all attendees. A select few also received their very own Dork Diaries style portrait drawn on stage by Nikki! Special thanks for the Atlanta-Fulton Library Foundation, Page Turners Make Great Learners, and Village Books for making this program amazing! #fulcolibrary #dorkdiaries #yearofthebook #authortalk #DorkDiariesInFullColor

05/13/2026

Creating jingles with our homeschooled kids and at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center! Homeschool S.T.E.A.M. Day with We Create Tech is another of our homeschooled programs designed to introduce STEM to kids ages 10-18 through technology-based and hands-on workshops. It occurs once a month on second Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. Today was the last session, so check the website periodically for Fall dates. Visit the link below to read more about we did today!

HTTPS:://www.fulcolibrary.org/blogs/post/jingles-galore-a-recap-of-homeschool-s-t-e-a-m-day-at-the-bbttc/

Photos from Fulton County Library's post

01/18/2026

12/19/2025

All Fulton County Library System branches will be closed for the New Year's Holiday, Wednesday, December 31, 2025 through Saturday, January 3, 2026. While we won’t be physically open, the digital library is available 24/7, and there's lots of resources available for all ages to help enhance your holiday!

Check out these Digital Resources:

Get started on your New Year's resolutions with the Get Healthy U TV BingePass on Hoopla (https://www.hoopladigital.com/)

Take control of your finances in 2026 with FinancialFit (https://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=ffit&inst=afpl)

Learn a new craft, such as crochet, watercolor painting, or pottery, with Creativebug (https://www.creativebug.com/lib/afpls)

Spend some time this long weekend exploring all of the Digital Resources that you have access to with your library card! Don't have a library card yet? Sign up online today ! (https://fulcolibrary.org/register)

Operating Schedule:

Tuesday, December 30 - Regular Branch Hours
Wednesday, December 31 – CLOSED
Thursday, January 1 – CLOSED
Friday, January 2 - CLOSED
Saturday, January 3 - CLOSED
Sunday, January 4 - Branches are Closed on Sundays
Monday, January 5 - Regular hours resume

12/11/2025

Come join us at the Fulton County Library System - Central Library for a delightful and thought-provoking talk with author Edward Ashton about his exciting novel, Mickey7

Mickey 17 is now a movie directed by the talented Academy Award winner B**g Joon-ho, featuring stars like Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yeun!

Edward's short stories have appeared in many interesting places, including the newsletter of an Italian sausage company and well-known publications like Analog, Escape Pod, and Fireside Fiction.

Edward has an impressive background, holding a doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rochester. There, he runs an annual lecture series on quantum physics that's been called “surprisingly funny”—definitely not your typical science talk! He also co-founded the biotechnology company
VirtualScopics has spent the last twenty years researching cancer, which, let's be honest, isn’t as lighthearted.

As a frequent speaker at conferences, Edward loves to share his knowledge on topics ranging from cancer biology to medical physics and advanced imaging technologies.

Don't miss this chance to hear from him and grab a copy of his book—there will be copies available for purchase!
Register today:

https://tinyurl.com/4e2wd6am

**gJoonHo

11/19/2025

Mickey7 author Edward Ashton visits Central Library for an invigorating and thought-provoking evening. Join the conversation about his stellar novel which is now a motion picture, Mickey17, directed by Academy Award winner B**g Joon-Ho and starring Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yuen!

Mickey7 follows the ever-reliable, yet disposable employee Mickey Barnes as he struggles to make a fateful decision while the world around him begins to diminish.

Register today to join the conversation and meet Edward Ashton!

Fulton County Library Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation Edward Ashton

11/10/2025

All Fulton County Library System libraries will be closed, Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veteran's Day. We will reopen Wednesday, November 12th at 10:00 AM.

We honor and thank all of our veterans within the Fulton County Library system. Celebrate the veterans in your life! For veteran's resources, visit https://www.fulcolibrary.org/blogs/post/veteran-assistance/

Fulton County Library

10/21/2025

10/15/2025

Join New York Times bestselling author Ayana Gray for a meet + greet and author talk at Central Library. Ayana spills about her debut adult novel, I, Medusa, a reimagination of the Greek mythology goddess. Exploding with rage, heartbreak, and love, I, Medusa portrays a young woman caught in the crosscurrents between her heart’s deepest desires and the cruel, careless games the Olympian gods play. The first 50 guests will receive a free copy sponsored by the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation. Brave and Kind Bookshop will be available for book purchases.

Fulton County Library Brave and Kind Books Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation Ayana Gray

10/10/2025

Join New York Times bestselling author, broadcaster, and television personality Sherri Shepherd for a story time and meet + greet on Saturday, October 18th at 5:00 PM. Sherri chats about her latest children’s book that encourages young girls to support each other.

The first 100 guests will receive a free copy sponsored by the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation. Brave + Kind Bookshop will be available for book purchases.

Register today at https://fulcolibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/68e94679fe1db36a65453a8c

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Location

Atlanta

Telephone

+14046128700

Website

https://fulcolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?locations=CENTRAL, https://www.fulcolibrary.org/central-library

Address

One Margaret Mitchell Square NW
Atlanta, GA
30303

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 8pm
Tuesday	10am - 8pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 6pm