Atlanta Central Library

Last updated

Atlanta Central Library
Atlanta Central Library, ATL.jpg
The library in 2021
Atlanta Central Library
TypeMunicipal public library
EstablishedMarch 4, 1902
Branch of Atlanta–Fulton Public Library System
Other information
Public transit access MARTA stripes logo.svg Peachtree Center
Aiga bus trans.svg Route 40
Website Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Building details
General information
Architectural style Brutalist
Location1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Coordinates 33°45′28″N84°23′18″W / 33.75778°N 84.388414°W / 33.75778; -84.388414
Construction started1977
OpenedMay 25, 1980
Renovated2002, 2018–2021
Design and construction
Architect Marcel Breuer
Renovating team
Architects Moody Nolan,
Cooper Carry
Other designersVines Architects

The Atlanta Central Library is the main branch of the Fulton County Library System (FCLS) in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The eight-story building, completed in 1980 and designed by Marcel Breuer in the Brutalist style, occupies an entire city block and was Breuer's final completed work. It replaced the Carnegie Library, built for the Atlanta Public Library (APL), the FCLS's predecessor. The Central Library houses the FCLS's special collections and hundreds of thousands of volumes.

Contents

The original Carnegie Library opened in 1902 and was proposed for replacement by the 1960s. Breuer was hired to devise plans for the new branch, which were published in 1971. A bond issue to fund the construction of the branch was not approved until 1976; the Carnegie Library was demolished to make way for the Central Library, which was dedicated on May 25, 1980. Following several minor upgrades over the years, including a plaza renovation in the 1990s, the building was partially renovated in 2002. After unsuccessful demolition attempts in the late 2000s and the 2010s, a complete renovation took place from 2018 to 2021.

The building has a concrete facade with an inverted massing and some windows. The interior was designed with a basement theater and restaurant; several stories of stacks and reading rooms; and administrative offices on the upper floors. Over the years, the Central Library received extensive architectural commentary; although architects praised the design, the general public was more critical.

History

The original central building of the Fulton County Library System (FCLS; originally the Atlanta Public Library, or APL [a] ) was the Carnegie Library, funded with money from industrialist Andrew Carnegie. [2] Designed by Ackerman & Ross in the Beaux-Arts style, [3] the building opened on March 4, 1902. [4] [5] The Central Library was housed in the Carnegie Library building for most of the century. [4] To address overcrowding, an annex was completed in November 1935, [6] and another expansion took place in 1950. [7] [8] After the second expansion, the Carnegie Library covered 82,000 square feet (7,600 m2). [7] By the 1960s and 1970s, there were myriad issues with the old building, including outdated wiring, leaking roofs, and cracking plasterwork. [9] [10] In addition, there was a shortage of usable books, the old library stacks were crumbling, [9] and the building was too small to accommodate its traffic. [2] [11]

Development

Need for a new building

A 1965 study by the library expert Joseph L. Wheeler had prompted library officials to consider a new central branch building. [12] [13] Shortly after Carlton Rochell became the APL system's director in 1968, he proposed that the Carnegie Library be replaced with a larger facility, [14] which he suggested would help the APL attract readers. [15] The new branch was to be more than twice as large as the original facility, [2] [14] with space for 1 million volumes in open stacks and 500,000 volumes in closed stacks. [16] Two studies had found that it was infeasible to refurbish the Carnegie Library, [17] and preserving the existing facade in front of a new building would have required unwieldy structural changes. [18] That August, the APL board passed a resolution to request $5.5 million in bonds, [19] which was later increased to $6 million. [11] The new branch was tentatively planned to occupy the entire city block between Carnegie Way and Fairlie, Williams, and Forsyth streets, including the Carnegie Library site. [11] There were brief discussions about constructing the central branch elsewhere by 1969, [2] but by the next year, the Carnegie site was again being proposed for the new central branch's location. [20]

After Rochell interviewed several architects, [21] the APL hired Marcel Breuer and Associates to draw up preliminary plans in May 1970; [22] the firm received a full design contract that November. [13] [23] Rochell had been impressed by Breuer's design of the Whitney Museum's Madison Avenue building in New York City, [24] and he wanted the new library building to be a cultural hub. [25] In March 1971, Breuer revealed his designs for a concrete structure with cantilevered setbacks and intermittent large windows. [13] [26] Breuer and his team flew from New York City to present the plans, bringing along a wooden model in a baggage compartment. [25] The preliminary plans also included a restaurant, an exhibition hall, meeting rooms, and a drive-through window for patrons. [4] The APL had acquired all the land by that August, when the board of trustees, at the recommendation of Mayor Sam Massell, allocated funds to study the feasibility of constructing the new central branch under Five Points. [27] Breuer's firm studied this proposal as well, which was presented to city officials that December, [28] but the Five Points plan was ultimately rejected. [13] [29]

Funding, relocation, and demolition disputes

Construction stalled in 1972 [13] and was delayed for several years due to disputes over the building's funding source. [10] [30] In particular, politicians did not want to host a bond-issue referendum, [10] [31] which required raising taxes by the same amount as the bond issue. [10] [16] Massell had unsuccessfully attempted to get the Georgia government to pay for the new building, [32] and the original cost estimate had increased by $3 million by mid-1973. [33] The funding source was a major point of contention in the 1973 Atlanta mayoral election, where only two candidates supported the bond issue referendum, even as most of the candidates endorsed the new building. [34] Maynard Jackson, who won the election, pledged to instead secure funding through private means but was unable to find a private financier. [35] [32] Although the library's trustees wished to remain at Carnegie Way, there were proposals to move the building elsewhere. [36] [b]

Costs had increased to over $20 million by the mid-1970s, [35] [32] and the referendum had been rejected four times by 1975. [38] APL trustees approved a resolution that March, requesting $1.2 million of city tax revenue for the new building, [39] and the Friends of the Atlanta Public Library was established to advocate for the building. [40] [41] In October 1975, the Atlanta City Council agreed to include $18.9 million for the building in an upcoming referendum involving three other projects. [31] [42] Although the projects were listed separately on the ballot, [31] [43] the new building's supporters promoted all four projects jointly to avoid drawing undue attention to the library bonds. [44] The library funds were narrowly approved that December, [16] [32] largely among racial lines: Black voters had supported the measure, while white voters had opposed all four projects. [16] [45] The bond issue, which was delayed until August 1976, [46] made the city the primary financier of the new building. [47]

The Carnegie Library in 1976, just before its demolition Carnegie Library of Atlanta.tif
The Carnegie Library in 1976, just before its demolition

Work was delayed for several months while construction documents were prepared, [48] [49] and Breuer's firm redid the interior designs to accommodate additional uses. [50] [51] Both the library board [52] and the City Council recommended that the new library be built on the Carnegie Library's site. [48] In June 1976, Breuer's firm completed their revised plans, [51] and the library board voted to temporarily relocate the Central Branch to 10 Pryor Street Southwest, [53] where it was to occupy four floors. [54] [55] The engineering firm Stevens & Wilkinson created detailed drawings for the new building. [32] [49] Rochell resigned from the APL before work began, [56] and his successor Ella Gaines Yates oversaw the building's continued development. [23] [32] The City Council approved the Central Branch's temporary relocation in October 1976, after alternate sites were rejected; [57] the Carnegie Library closed in February 1977, and its functions were moved to Pryor Street. [58] Two City Council members proposed renaming the new library after the activist W. E. B. Du Bois in May 1977, [59] [60] but the council rejected the proposal. [61] [62]

Construction

Work began in October 1977, [32] with the project planned to take three years. [63] The George Hyman Construction Co. and the Ozanne Construction Co, were hired as the general contractors. [32] [64] Despite an effort to save the Carnegie Library, [65] that building was torn down to make way for Breuer's structure. [64] [66] Parts of the facade were salvaged, [66] and the temporary Central Branch on Pryor Street used furniture from the old building; [12] the time capsule from the original library was unsealed that December. [67] [68] With the Central Library's construction, the city government became more involved in the APL's operation, despite the trustees' objections. [12] In early 1978, the APL board threatened to withdraw its involvement in the project following a dispute with the city government; the board had wanted to hire Breuer's firm to oversee construction, but the city disagreed. [47]

Despite the dispute between the library board and the city, construction proceeded ahead of schedule, [69] and Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum and Jenkins-Fleming were hired as the interior design consultants. [70] The library board had hired the two firms in exchange for getting the city government's approval to select a construction manager and add two more floors. [71] The two additional floors were intended to accommodate the branch's future needs, as it would have been disruptive to construct the two floors after the building's completion. [72] [71] Yates, who oversaw even the most minute aspects of the building's construction, said that "this building is virtually hand-crafted in every respect", [73] while an architect with Stevens and Wilkinson said that workers had "taken enormous pride" in the project. [74] By early 1979, the facade was nearly completed, though the interior design consultants had not started work. [71] Elected officials including Mayor Jackson toured the under-construction library that May. [75]

The new Central Library included an electronic card catalog system to replace the old building's physical cards, [76] [77] as well as a minicomputer system for readers and another system to detect whether patrons had overdue books. [77] [78] These upgrades were funded by the 1975 bond issue. [77] [78] The bond issue also allocated $100,000 for artwork, [75] and Breuer's partner Hamilton Smith had suggested that these funds, along with additional money raised by the APL, be used for a sculpture. [79] Smith and Breuer had originally planned to commission Breuer's friend Alexander Calder, who had died before construction started. [80] In September 1979, the library board's chairman suggested that the new building could open in phases; while several floors were ahead of schedule, other parts of the interior had been delayed. [81] The temporary Central Library closed at the beginning of March 1980, [82] [83] though the Breuer building's opening was rescheduled multiple times. [84] The building's contractors also threatened to sue the city government over the delays. [85]

20th century

View of the building from the southern corner. The stairs ascend to the public outdoor plaza. Atlanta-Fulton Central Library (8216348716).jpg
View of the building from the southern corner. The stairs ascend to the public outdoor plaza.

A preview event for the building was hosted on May 23, 1980, [86] and the building was dedicated two days later on May 25. [74] [84] The ceremony included appearances from local politicians and a performance from the 214th U.S. Army Band; [84] Breuer could not attend the dedication, [41] [87] dying a year later. [80] [88] Breuer's firm received an award of excellence from Atlanta's Design Commission for the building, [89] which was the first major upgrade to the APL system in several decades. [90] Initially, the Atlanta government owned the structure, while the Fulton County Commission operated it. [91] With the new building's opening, the APL hired an Atlanta Police Department officer to enforce conduct rules there. [92] The basement was incomplete when the building opened, [84] and the top two stories were vacant; [73] the basement cafeteria had opened by 1981. [93]

The building initially had no artwork; the original $100,000 art allocation had been depleted to pay for budget overruns. [80] The APL tried to commission a sculpture for the entrance plaza, but its trustees refused to commission any work from deceased artists. [80] [94] Having rejected Hamilton Smith's suggestion to commission Calder, the APL wanted to hire Tony Smith (no relation), who died in 1980 after the APL's art committee rejected three of his proposals. [80] The APL commissioned Richard Hunt to design a sculpture later the next year. [94] The Fulton County Arts Council recommended in 1982 that two artworks from the unbuilt Atlanta Gateway Park be installed at the Central Library. [95] The APL hosted a fundraiser the next year to raise funds for Hunt's sculpture, Wisdom Bridge, [96] having raised $40,000 each from the city and county governments. [97] The APL expanded to cover the rest of Fulton County in 1983, [98] [99] and all its branches became part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System (formally the Fulton County Library System, or FCLS). [98] Subsequently, the periodical collection was moved from the first to the fourth floors. [99]

Voters approved a $38 million bond issue in 1985 to finance upgrades across the FCLS, [100] including over $2 million for four projects at the Central Library. [90] Among these projects were a redesign of the plaza (which had become a frequent spot for loitering), [101] along with funds for finishing the top two floors. [90] [102] The bond issue also included funding for interior repairs and an expansion of the library's information bureau; [90] these were part of a planned 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) expansion of the building. [103] The 1985 referendum included $200,000 for artwork at the Central Library, of which 80% went to Wisdom Bridge and 20% to artworks for the interior. [104] Hunt modified his plans for Wisdom Bridge when it was incorporated into the plaza redesign; [105] the project, announced in April 1988, also included new plantings and steps. [106] The plaza renovation began that October, [107] and Wisdom Bridge was dedicated on August 1, 1990. [105] [108]

The Central Library, the FCLS's busiest branch in the 1980s, had been surpassed by two suburban branches by the early 1990s. [109] Some of the fifth-floor special collections were relocated to the fourth floor in 1993. [110] The African-American collection and some items were relocated to the Auburn Avenue Library, [110] [111] which opened the next year. [112] The theater was closed during the mid-1990s after water from a leaking concrete planter caused parts of the ceiling to collapse. [113] The Central Library was temporarily closed during the 1996 Summer Olympics, which was hosted in Atlanta. [114] Although the restaurant was busy and successful during the building's early years, [24] [113] the FCLS board terminated the restaurant's lease in 1998 in an unsuccessful attempt to lease the space to a higher-paying tenant. [98] The theater and restaurant remained empty for several years, while the building deteriorated. [115] The building needed an estimated $7.6 million in upgrades by 1998, less than two decades after its completion; [116] at the time, it had never undergone a major renovation. [115]

21st century

2000–2007: Initial renovation

The Gates Foundation provided a grant in early 2000 for the construction of a youth computer center on the fourth floor, [117] and a teenagers' computer center on the third floor opened that October. [118] [119] In 2001, the FCLS announced plans to renovate the building for $3 million, at which point the Central Library had significantly lower patronage and circulation than the main libraries of similarly-sized American cities. [115] After several white librarians at the Central Library were relocated to smaller branch libraries, eight of them sued the FCLS for discrimination in 2000, [120] [121] receiving a multimillion-dollar judgment. [121] [122] Although the Central Library's patronage had increased slightly when the early-2000s renovation started, the lawsuit had negatively impacted the library system's reputation. [98] [121]

Renovations began in September 2001 with the closure of the genealogy department, [123] and other departments and the outdoor plaza were also closed that year. [124] After the genealogy section reopened the following January, [125] workers removed obsolete or damaged volumes from the collection, despite objections from some FCLS employees. [126] The FCLS also redecorated the interiors in a more colorful palette, repainting walls and ordering a new carpet with colorful highlights. [24] [87] The shelves were temporarily removed during the renovation; when some of the newly reinstalled shelves collapsed in late 2002, parts of the building were closed off while the shelves were secured. [127] The changes, costing $5 million, were mostly cosmetic; a full renovation would have cost $34 million. [87] The interior renovation was completed in 2004, but the FCLS wanted to renovate the exterior as well, [128] proposing an additional $21 million upgrade in 2006. [129] In the long run, it remained unclear what would happen to the Breuer building, [130] and a moratorium on new hiring had left dozens of vacant positions at the Central Library by the mid-2000s. [131]

2008–2016: Demolition plans

The building before its 2020s renovation Walkin ATL 024.jpg
The building before its 2020s renovation

By 2008, the FCLS was considering renovating the Central Library, but Fulton County commissioner Robb Pitts instead advocated for its demolition and replacement. [132] [133] At a referendum that November, voters approved a $275 million bond issue for the FCLS, which included $85 million for replacing the Central Library. [134] [135] Although the bond issue initially included about $34 million for the Central Library's renovation, [132] [136] Pitts made a last-minute change increasing that amount. [137] To receive the full funding, the FCLS had to raise matching funds from private sources. [134] [138] If the matching funds could not be raised in five years, the Central Library would be renovated instead. [134] [136] FCLS director John Szabo and supporters of a new building said that the project would attract visitors, [87] but Szabo also said a new building would solve only some of the FCLS's issues. [132]

A blog advocating for the building's preservation was established, [130] [139] and the library was listed on the World Monuments Fund's 2010 Watch List of Most Endangered Sites. [140] [141] By 2010, there were plans to reopen the basement's abandoned restaurant space as a coffee bar. [98] Meanwhile, the replacement of the Central Library and the FCLS's other projects was delayed due to the Great Recession. [142] Homeless people frequently congregated at the building by the early 2010s, prompting other patrons to avoid it. [143] When the Auburn Avenue Library closed for a renovation in 2014, part of the collection was temporarily moved back to the Central Library; [144] this relocation lasted two years. [112]

Proposals to replace the Central Library resurfaced in early 2016, when the library system's chairwoman proposed reallocating some of the building's $85 million allocation to other branches, while using the remaining funds to build a downsized main branch. [145] At the time, the Central Library was not among the FCLS's ten busiest branches, [137] [145] and the library system's directors wanted to focus on outlying branches. [145] [146] The structure had fallen into disrepair, with broken doors, malfunctioning elevators, and a leaking roof. [137] [147] Even so, members of the public signed petitions and left public comments advocating for preservation. [147] [148] A panel discussion on the building's future, involving Pitts, the library's director, and two people who supported preservation, was hosted in May. [149] The next month, the Atlanta City Council approved a nonbinding resolution endorsing a "new Central Library" in the site, prompting outcry from local residents and preservationists; [66] [150] the resolution's sponsor later clarified that he had only wanted the branch to remain downtown. [151]

2016–present: Renovation and reopening

The building during its renovation Atlanta Central Library 2.jpg
The building during its renovation

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners, which was loath to spend money on a new location, [147] passed a resolution in July 2016 mandating the existing building's renovation. [148] [152] The plan allocated $55 million for upgrades, and the architecture firm Praxis3 and the nonprofit group Architecture and Design Center were tasked with creating preliminary plans. [148] Moody Nolan was the architect of record for the renovation, [153] [154] which was led by architectural firm Cooper Carry and Vines Architecture. [154] [155] Due to concerns that the renovation would significantly alter the existing design, the building was included on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation's 2017 "Places in Peril" list. [156] Designs took more than a year, [157] and Cooper Carry presented the plans to the public in April 2018. [158] [159] The plans involved adding large windows to the facade, prompting criticism. [154] [160]

The building was closed in July 2018 for renovations, [155] [161] and the county commission approved a $44.2 million renovation contract the next month. [162] During the Central Library's closure, the FCLS loaned laptops to patrons in the nearby Woodruff Park, [163] and patrons were allowed to access some of the Central Library's collections digitally. [164] Exterior work began in mid-2019. [165] The project included adding windows, upgrading mechanical systems, adding a rooftop event space, and rearranging the interiors. [166] [167] Some space was to be rented to external tenants, [158] [167] including artists-in-residence. [166] Although the Central Library was nominated to the NRHP, [168] [169] the National Park Service was reluctant to designate the building because of concerns that the facade modifications would not retain the building's historic integrity. [170] The project retained about 95% of the original design. [171]

The renovation ultimately cost $50 million. [167] [172] With the work largely complete by early 2021, [172] the building ultimately reopened on October 5. [173] [174] The project received an award of merit from the Engineering News-Record 's Southeast chapter, [153] and the building received a LEED Gold green building certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. [171]

Description

The Atlanta Central Library is at 1 Margaret Mitchell Square Northwest in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. [30] [175] It occupies a full city block, [21] [139] which is surrounded by Fairlie Street to the northwest, Williams Street to the southwest, Forsyth Street to the southeast, and Carnegie Way to the northeast. [176] The main facade on Forsyth Street faces Margaret Mitchell Square and Peachtree Street, [66] overlooking where the original street grid intersects with another grid. [177] The Wynne-Claughton Building is located immediately across Carnegie Way to the north, while the Georgia-Pacific Tower is across Peachtree Street to the east. [176]

Marcel Breuer designed the Central Library with Hamilton Smith; they worked in conjunction with associate architect and engineering firm Stevens & Wilkinson. [25] [178] It was Breuer's only design in Georgia, [170] his last design to be completed before his death, [66] [139] and among his final works overall. [21] [98] According to Smith, the building's design was intended to be functional, despite its monolithic design. [179] The interiors were mostly designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum and Jenkins-Fleming, [70] [178] although Breuer was responsible for the auditorium. [93]

Exterior

The library building measures 130 feet (40 m) tall, while its largest floors measure 160 by 190 feet (49 by 58 m) across. [21] It has an inverted massing, with the upper levels cantilevering above the lower stories in a manner similar to Breuer's previous Whitney Museum of Art building. [130] [180] The Forsyth Street (southeast) elevation steps outward at three levels, protruding a total of 24 feet (7.3 m), while the northeast and southwest elevations each step outward once, protruding by 8 feet (2.4 m). [181]

The exterior is composed of precast concrete panels with diagonal striations, [30] [181] [182] which were bush-hammered after being cast, giving them a rough texture. [182] [183] Concrete was chosen because its malleability allowed recessed windows and splayed reveals in irregular shapes, [30] because of its rugged quality, [184] and because it was significantly cheaper than conventional stone. [181] Each panel measures 15 feet (4.6 m) high, the same height as each of the stories. [181] Some of the panels have L-shaped cross-sections, wrapping around corners. [30] [182] [183] These panels gave the building a monumental appearance while eliminating the need for traditional masonry, which would have required structural reinforcement, had a visible cross-section, and weathered unevenly. [181] John Poros, one of Breuer's biographers, wrote that "there is no sense of assemblage here", in that the building appeared to be carved out of a single block of concrete rather than being cobbled together from several structures. [185]

The original design was largely windowless; one of the few windows on Forsyth Street had a square window facing Margaret Mitchell Square, [177] which measured 25 feet (7.6 m) to a side. [181] Another trapezoidal window, on Carnegie Way, overlooks a staircase between the basement and second floor. [180] [181] The windows are much larger than in comparable buildings, a design feature intended to attract visitors. [186] At Forsyth Street and Carnegie Way, there is a diagonal cutaway below the second floor, one of the only places in the building where a diagonal design feature was used. [187] Additional gaps or window openings are located at the centers of each of the facade's elevations. [188] At the top of the Forsyth Street elevation, above the main entrance at the center of that elevation, is a blank opening, which overlooks an outdoor space on the upper stories. [183] The 2021 renovation added more windows, since the poorly-lit interiors originally drove away potential patrons. [154]

Due to the site's slope, there are entrances at both the basement and first stories. [189] The first-story entrance on Forsyth Street has a wide brick-paved plaza, [181] [189] which contains Richard Hunt's steel sculpture Wisdom Bridge (1990). [105] [108] This plaza is bounded by slanted, bush-hammered walls. [181] At the building's southern corner is a staircase descending to the basement, which crosses underneath a stair ascending to the main entrance. [181] [183] There is a drive-through window for dropping off books, [137] [189] abutting the basement on Fairlie Street to the northwest. The Fairlie Street facade also contains loading docks and abuts a maintenance space. [73]

Interior

As built, the Central Library had 250,000 square feet (23,000 m2), [81] spread across eight above-ground floors and two basements. [190] The height between each floor slab is 15 feet (4.6 m), [30] [182] but the ceiling heights are shorter since the interiors use dropped ceilings of 10 to 12 feet (3.0 to 3.7 m). [21] The building was built to accommodate 1,000 patrons simultaneously, with space for 1 million volumes. [24] [30] [21] The superstructure consists of a steel frame and concrete slabs; [24] [30] the steel frame is encased by concrete columns, which are arranged in a grid of 30-by-45-foot (9.1 by 13.7 m) rectangles. [21] An electronic computer system could close off parts of the library in case of an emergency. [76]

Layout and circulation features

Upper floor of the Central Library Atlanta Central Library Interior.jpg
Upper floor of the Central Library

There is a bank of elevators on the wall of the main lobby, [73] [183] which do not serve the top floor. [139] The original design included additional elevators at the center of the building, which were relocated in the 2021 renovation. [154] [191] A book-conveyor belt connects the first-floor general reference areas with the upper floors. [73] A staircase connects the basement, first, and second stories [73] [139] and is situated behind the elevators. [183] Another staircase, added in 2021, leads to a central staircase on the second through fourth floors. [154] This central staircase, designed by Breuer, consists of pairs of concrete steps, arranged in a scissor layout. [139] [192] There are four round skylights in the ceiling above the stairs. [181] [192] An outdoor stair connects the fourth floor to the upper stories. [181] [192]

The interior decorations were mostly colorless, [87] with decorations, such as earth-toned floors, that gave a warm ambiance. [84] Colorful decorations were added in the 2000s renovation. [87] As part of the 2021 renovation, interior circulation was rearranged, and the building was expanded to 272,000 square feet (25,300 m2). [154] [173] The 2021 renovation also added colorful movable furniture. [154]

Rooms

The arrangement of the interior forms a vertical procession that encouraged occupants to ascend from the lower to the upper stories, like earlier Beaux-Arts structures but unlike Breuer's earlier multistory buildings. [193] The two basement levels contain a garage and storage space. [71] The first basement included the maintenance spaces, a cafeteria, exhibition space, and an auditorium, [73] along with a reading room and card catalog. [183] The auditorium contained 340 [93] [181] or 350 seats. [73] In addition, the basement originally contained the children's department. [73] On the first floor was a central 100-by-130-foot (30 by 40 m) room, [181] which initially contained a general reference department, flanked by a gift shop and a newspaper reference library. [c] [73] [183] The lobby has a ceiling measuring 12 feet (3.7 m) high, [21] [183] and there is an atrium above it, which contains the artwork Tree of Light by Luftwerk. [194]

The second and fourth stories contain the general reading rooms and are divided into quadrants, separated by the gaps in the facade. [188] The quadrants contain reading rooms and stacks; [188] [195] the reading rooms have low shelves, while the stacks are inaccessible to the public and are organized electronically. [178] The ceilings are generally 12 feet (3.7 m) high. [21] In the building's early years, the second floor generally contained business, government-archive, and STEM collections; the third floor included the travel and humanities collections; and the fourth floor had arts and film collections. [73] [99] The fourth floor has a soundproof music-listening room, [93] and it housed the relocated children's department from 2021 onward. [154] [173] The children's department contains tiles depicting the Uncle Remus folktale, [196] salvaged from the Carnegie Library. [197] A Veiled Rebecca statue from the old Carnegie Library was originally displayed on the fourth floor [84] before being removed in 1983. [198]

The upper stories were originally administrative spaces, [73] [178] with ceilings measuring 10 feet (3.0 m) high. [190] When the building was completed, the fifth floor housed the special collections, an employee lounge, and technical offices. [73] The fifth floor also has a recessed, double-height outdoor courtyard, whose floor is partially composed of the skylights above the fourth floor's ceiling. [181] [192] Originally, the fifth floor displayed a bust salvaged from the old library, depicting Andrew Carnegie. [84] The sixth floor was used by administrative offices for the library system and the Friends of the Atlanta Public Library, and there were two unused attic floors at the time of construction. [73] There were also a dozen meeting rooms with capacities of 10–300 people apiece. [190] After the 2020s renovation, the fifth and sixth stories became an event space, [153] which contains kitchens, a courtyard, and an auditorium. [173] This event space required adding two large beams to support a new roof. [153]

Collection

The Central Library's entrance Atlanta Central Library.jpg
The Central Library's entrance

When the Central Library opened, it had 350,000 volumes. [73] The collection included volumes in 23 languages by the mid-2000s. [199] The library had other forms of print and audiovisual media such as newspapers, films, and tape recordings. [73] There were collections of artworks, cassettes, films, and equipment, which patrons were allowed to rent or borrow. [73] [200] The library building also hosted workshops, board games, and a reference desk, [73] and the Friends of the Atlanta Public Library operated the gift shop. [200]

The Central Library houses the Fulton County Public Library's special collections. [73] [201] As of 2025, these included the Georgia Collection, the genealogy collection, the library system's archives, and the rare-book and city-directory collections. [201] The Hattie Wilson High Genealogical Collection contains documents relating to family histories in the Southern United States, particularly Georgia. [202] The Margaret Mitchell Collection, consisting of objects relating to the novelist and journalist Margaret Mitchell (including books that she consulted at the Carnegie Library), [203] [204] was donated to the Central Library in 1954. [205] The Samuel Williams collection of African-American work was housed at the Central Library from 1970 [206] [207] until it was relocated to the Auburn Avenue Research Library in 1994. [206] [208]

Reception and media

When the library bond issue was approved in 1975, The Atlanta Constitution wrote that the design resembled "an oversized cinderblock with apertures". [209] The same newspaper wrote in 1979 that the building's design seemingly ran counter to Breuer's Bauhaus principles, in that it did not strictly follow the philosophy that form follows function, and that it was yet "almost modernistically baroque". [179] A model of the building was displayed at Georgia Tech in 1978 [210] and at Berlin's Bauhaus Archive the next year. [79] A writer for the Miami Herald compared Breuer's APL building to his firm's later Broward County Library but that only the Atlanta building was "monumental", despite the buildings' similar shapes and materials. [211] The Architectural Record wrote the same year that the building was "precast concrete, sculptural, tough but elegantly tough" like many of Breuer's other projects, [212] while The Atlanta Journal said the massing exemplified Breuer's beliefs about "the civilizing of technology". [213]

Retrospectively, although the building's design was well-received in the architectural community, it did not age well, [87] as the public disliked its brutalist style and the lack of windows. [138] The writer John Poros wrote that the building's completion was "part of a long search" in the evolution of Breuer's work, despite having been completed just as postmodern architecture was becoming popular. [74] The Central Library was described as a masterpiece by Barry Bergdoll, the Chief Architectural Curator of the Museum of Modern Art. [214] Hyperallergic wrote that the building's windows "angle as elegantly as those at the Met Breuer", the former Whitney building, even as his buildings did not meet classical expectations of beauty. [146] The Vitra Design Museum included the building, along with several others, in a traveling exhibition on Breuer's work. [215] The museum wrote that the Central Library, New York City's Begrisch Hall, Rotterdam's De Bijenkorf store, and the Whitney building were "remarkable for the pregnancy and the unity of their volumes". [216]

When the Central Library's demolition was proposed, County Commissioner Robb Pitts claimed that the Breuer building was "dark, it’s not friendly, it’s not inviting", [139] and he likened the building to a jail. [146] Cynthia Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that the planned demolition was an example of the "lessons of waste", [141] and local architect Bobbie Unger said that, despite the building's formidable appearance, "we don’t have anything like that here in Atlanta. It should be valued." [137] The website ArtsATL wrote in 2016 that the building was imposing and highly controversial, but that the arrangement of the design details was appealing when examined more closely, saying that merely demolishing the building "is shortsighted at best and downright flippant at worst". [66] When the building reopened in 2021, a writer for Georgia Trend said that it "is modern, it is futuristic, it looks like science fiction", drawing the attention of passersby, [217] while another writer said the renovation alluded to the original architecture without following it exactly. [218]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ The system itself was also formally known as the Carnegie Library of Atlanta until 1949. [1] For clarity, this article refers to the former building as the "Carnegie Library", while the library system is referred to as the APL or FCLS.
  2. ↑ The proposed sites included Bedford Pine, [37] Woodruff Park (next to the Candler Building), the Loew's Grand Theatre (across Peachtree Street from the Carnegie site). [36]
  3. ↑ In news reports about the Atlanta Central Library, the Atlanta Constitution uses modified cardinal directions, which are rotated 45 degrees clockwise from the original directions (for example, the northeastern elevation is described as facing "north"). [73] In this article, the precise cardinal directions are used.

Citations

  1. ↑ Riley, Albert (August 19, 1949). "Board Renames Carnegie 'Atlanta Public Library'". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 8. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com; "Carnegie Library Gets New Name; It's Atlanta, Now". The Atlanta Journal. August 19, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Collins, Bill (November 16, 1969). "Library's Top Site Runs Into Talk of Move Here". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1C, 2C . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Carnegie Library of Atlanta (Withdrawn) (PDF) (Report). National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. October 22, 1976. p. 4.
  4. 1 2 3 Sibley, Celestine (April 18, 1971). "Amazing New Library". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. SM12, SM14, SM56, SM58. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1555878548.
  5. ↑ "The Carnegie Library Open". The Savannah Morning News. March 5, 1902. p. 2. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Atlanta Opens New Building Annex in Honoring Benefactor, Carnegie". The Atlanta Constitution. November 26, 1935. p. 12. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com; "Brief Georgia Items". Ledger-Enquirer. Associated Press. November 26, 1935. p. 11. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 Joiner, Alex (November 30, 1950). "Renovated Public Library Ready for Re-Dedication". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 7. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Turner, Margaret (December 1, 1950). "Ga. Authors Star at New Library". The Atlanta Journal. p. 28. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 Murdoch, Joyce (July 26, 1974). "Old Books Crumbling At Library". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 11. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 3 4 McCash, Selby (December 12, 1975). "Atlanta Decision". The Macon News. p. 4. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 3 Williams, William G. (October 13, 1968). "Library Trustees to Ask City For $6 Million to Build Center: Bond Referendum in Spring '69 If Aldermen Approve Package". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 12G. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1555741199.
  12. 1 2 3 Shields, Mitchell J. (August 5, 1979). "Checking Out The Atlanta Library". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. SM22, SM24, SM26, SM28, SM30. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1622922746 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Poros 2022 , p. 157.
  14. 1 2 Stepp, Diane (February 22, 1968). "Library Asks Budget Increase to $1,653,909 During 1969". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 6. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "New Library Wanted to Woo 'Customers'". The Atlanta Constitution. October 14, 1968. p. 6. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Gray, Jim; Morrison, David (December 10, 1975). "Voters Approve Library; Reject 3 Other Projects". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. 1A, 6A. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ Merriner, Jim (April 26, 1975). "Books Dry Up in a Library of Decay Here". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 5. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ Woolner, Ann (March 25, 1977). "U.S. Urges Tearing Down Old Library". The Atlanta Journal. p. 40. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Laird, Leslie (August 3, 1968). "Library Board Asks $1.8 Million Budget". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 16. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Rohrer, Bob (March 5, 1970). "$14.3 Million Requested For Library Expansion". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 8. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 McCarter 2024 , p. 391.
  22. ↑ Coffin, Alex (May 21, 1970). "Library Picks N. Y. Architect". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 9A. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1563122566.
  23. 1 2 Crown, John (May 24, 1980). "The Realization Of A 10-Year Dream". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 14. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Wachs, Audrey (April 15, 2016). "Future uncertain for Breuer's Central Library in Atlanta". The Architect’s Newspaper. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 Kessler, Kyle (May 2, 2018). "Commentary: Before we knock holes into Central Library, we should be certain that's what Atlantans really want". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  26. ↑ Bryans, Raleigh (March 10, 1971). "New Library Drawn". The Atlanta Journal. p. 2. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ "Library to Study Underground Plan". The Atlanta Constitution. August 20, 1971. p. 11D. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1616182802.
  28. ↑ Beeman, Paul (December 14, 1971). "Officials See Plans for New Library". The Atlanta Journal. p. 2. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ Murray, Alice (June 25, 1973). "No News on New Library". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 6. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hyman, Isabelle (2001). Marcel Breuer, Architect: The Career and the Buildings. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. p. 189. ISBN   0-8109-4265-8.
  31. 1 2 3 Raines, Howell (October 12, 1975). "Once-Distant Tax Proposals Moving Closer". The News and Observer. p. 65. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Poros 2022 , p. 158.
  33. ↑ Ledlie, Joe (August 21, 1973). "$56 Million Landmarks Start Here Next Year?". The Atlanta Journal. p. 2. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ Ledlie, Joe (August 30, 1973). "Most Mayoral Candidates Favor New Central Library". The Atlanta Journal. p. 3. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  35. 1 2 West, Paul (June 16, 1974). "Carnegie, Where Are You?". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 11B. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1612076174.
  36. 1 2 Merriner, Jim (October 7, 1975). "Dec. 9 Vote Set for 4 Bond Issues". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 1A. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1617433441.
  37. ↑ Merriner, Jim (June 6, 1974). "CAP Plan on Library Abandoned". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 26. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ Hollis, Louise (July 13, 1975). "Bicentennial Project?". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 159. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ Merriner, Jim (March 20, 1975). "Library Asks for Money". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 7. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ Gulliver, Hal (March 29, 1975). "Forgotten Dowager on Carnegie Way". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 4A. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1617523934.
  41. 1 2 "Friends of Library to Celebrate Opening". Atlanta Daily World. May 18, 1980. p. 5. ProQuest   491537354.
  42. ↑ Head, John (October 7, 1975). "$49 Million City Referendum Voted". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1A, 8A . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ "City Hall Report". The Atlanta Voice. November 8, 1975. p. 17. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  44. ↑ Merriner, Jim (October 20, 1975). "Lance, Allison to Head Bond Drive". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 6A. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1617410076 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ Ezell, Hank (December 10, 1975). "Whites Vote No, Blacks Say Yes". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1A, 21A . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  46. ↑ "City Library Bond Bids to Be Opened Tuesday". The Atlanta Journal. August 26, 1976. p. 2. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  47. 1 2 Holmes, Steven A. (May 24, 1978). "City Library Dispute Could Jeopardize Grants". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. 1C, 2C. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  48. 1 2 "Present Site Recommended for Library". The Atlanta Journal. April 8, 1976. p. 9. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  49. 1 2 Allen, Frederick (December 9, 1976). "New Library Start Is Still 10 Months Off". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 9. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ "City Library Reports Progress Toward Building New Facility". Atlanta Daily World. December 12, 1976. p. 2. ProQuest   491474259.
  51. 1 2 Gray, Jim (August 5, 1976). "Library Project Coming Along Slowly". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 9. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  52. ↑ Bryans, Raleigh (January 30, 1976). "Library Board Votes to Use Present Site". The Atlanta Journal. p. 66. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  53. ↑ "Temporary Library Chief Named Here". The Atlanta Journal. June 30, 1976. p. 88. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ "Central Library to Close For 2 Weeks in February". The Atlanta Constitution. December 23, 1976. p. 6B. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1614111877 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ "Atlanta Library Central Office Will Be Moving". Atlanta Daily World. December 23, 1976. p. 2. ProQuest   491475806.
  56. ↑ Cutts, Beau (May 20, 1976). "Atlanta Libraries Director Rochell Resigns". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 2. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  57. ↑ Woolner, Ann (October 14, 1976). "Temporary Site for Library Chosen Here". The Atlanta Journal. p. 8. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  58. ↑ "Library to Reopen 'Overdue'". The Atlanta Constitution. February 27, 1977. p. 47. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  59. ↑ "Ordinance Proposed To Rename Library". Atlanta Daily World. May 26, 1977. p. 7. ProQuest   491484064.
  60. ↑ Woolner, Ann (May 19, 1977). "Library Name Choice Delayed". The Atlanta Journal. p. 45. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  61. ↑ "Council Expected to Keep Name". The Atlanta Journal. August 1, 1977. p. 6. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  62. ↑ Martin, Lyn (August 2, 1977). "Council Ties Cyclorama to Bonds". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 28. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  63. ↑ Cash, Sarah (January 31, 1977). "'It's Like a Fairy Tale'". The Atlanta Journal. p. 23. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  64. 1 2 Martin, Lyn (September 2, 1977). "Joint Firm to Get Nod on Library?". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 18. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  65. ↑ Teel, Leonard Ray (April 21, 1977). "Library to Be Torn Down". The Atlanta Journal. p. 52. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  66. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kahn, Michael (June 22, 2016). "News Update: Breuer-designed Central Library jeopardized". ARTS ATL. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  67. ↑ "Atlanta time capsule open". The Times. United Press International. December 25, 1977. p. 73. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  68. ↑ Allen, Frederick (December 22, 1977). "Time Capsule Gifts Go Back to 1900". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 18. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  69. ↑ "Monday Briefing: City/State". The Atlanta Constitution. September 25, 1978. p. 2. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  70. 1 2 "Joint Venture Coalition Get Contract At Library". Atlanta Daily World. October 22, 1978. p. 2. ProQuest   491511861.
  71. 1 2 3 4 Reeves, Alexis Scott (February 9, 1979). "Director Fears New Library All Facade, No Interior". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3C. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1612222129 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  72. ↑ Sailor, Ron (November 19, 1978). "Mrs. Yates Says Millions Being Saved On Library". Atlanta Daily World. p. 2. ProQuest   491513475.
  73. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Raymond, John (May 18, 1980). "Central Library reflects pride of its developers". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1E, 6E . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  74. 1 2 3 Poros 2022 , p. 159.
  75. 1 2 Crawford, Tom (May 1, 1979). "Jackson, Other Officials Tour Library, MARTA". The Atlanta Journal. p. 26. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  76. 1 2 Raymond, John (May 18, 1980). "Library Goes Electronic". The Atlanta Journal. p. 83. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  77. 1 2 3 "Library to Use Computer for Cataloging, Checkout". The Atlanta Voice. May 5, 1979. p. 9. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  78. 1 2 Ashkinaze, Carole (September 3, 1979). "Booknappers' Last Chance". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1C, 4C . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  79. 1 2 Bryans, Raleigh (March 16, 1979). "Sculpture Urged for Library 'Yard'". The Atlanta Journal. p. 44. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  80. 1 2 3 4 5 Well, Debbie (August 2, 1981). "Lack of sculpture is a monumental headache for library". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1H, 12H . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  81. 1 2 Mooney, Brenda (September 21, 1979). "Library May Open Before It's Finished". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 50. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  82. ↑ "Central Library Closed; New Site To Open in April". The Atlanta Journal. March 2, 1980. p. 81. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  83. ↑ "Library To Close, To Move To New Building". Atlanta Daily World. February 28, 1980. p. 5. ProQuest   491537561.
  84. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Salyer, Sharon J. (May 26, 1980). "Those Books Get New Cover: $18.9 Million Building". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 27. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  85. ↑ Hiatt, Fred (April 23, 1980). "Library Faces Major Cost Hike". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1C, 6C . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  86. ↑ "Gala Opening Set For $13 Million Library". Atlanta Daily World. May 23, 1980. p. 1. ProQuest   491539684.
  87. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Judd, Alan (July 28, 2008). "Beauty, truth and bonds: Is library a classy eyesore?". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. pp. A1, A7 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  88. ↑ "Central Library & Library System Headquarters". Afpls.org. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  89. ↑ Wilson Library Bulletin. H.W. Wilson Company. 1980. p. 332. ISBN   978-0-8379-0141-1 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  90. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Julie K. (October 3, 1985). "Plan for libraries goes to the polls". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1K, 5K . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  91. ↑ Ashkinaze, Carole (February 12, 1982). "Legislation Seeks Transfer Of Atlanta Library To Fulton". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 31. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  92. ↑ Jaynes, Gregory (November 24, 1981). "Urban Librarians Seek Ways to Deal With 'Disturbed Patrons'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  93. 1 2 3 4 Baird, Michele Ross (March 10, 1981). "Library literally has lots of things to offer". The Atlanta Journal. p. 13. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  94. 1 2 Weil, Debbie (November 12, 1981). "Richard Hunt To Create Atlanta Library Sculpture". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. 1D, 12D. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   1621361528 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  95. ↑ Saporta, Maria (August 19, 1982). "New sites selected for artistic sights". The Atlanta Journal. p. 154. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  96. ↑ "Gala costume party will benefit library". The Atlanta Journal. June 2, 1983. p. 155. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  97. ↑ Thurston, Scott (June 11, 1983). "'Dream' party set to raise funds for library sculpture". The Atlanta Journal. p. 25. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  98. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Oder, Norman (June 1, 2002). "Can Atlanta-Fulton PL emerge from turmoil?". Library Journal. Vol. 127, no. 10. pp. 54–57. ProQuest   196836780.
  99. 1 2 3 Anderson, Robert (May 16, 1985). "Central facility, 24 branches make up Atlanta Public Library". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. 26E, 27E. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   3127651106.
  100. ↑ Hendricks, Gary (October 9, 1985). "Library boosters cheer passage of bond issue". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 8. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  101. ↑ Turner, Renee D. (August 20, 1985). "Downtown library putting the squeeze on loiterers". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 19. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  102. ↑ "3 Mini-Libraries Open In MARTA Rail Stations". Atlanta Daily World. April 17, 1987. p. 1. ProQuest   491662688.
  103. ↑ Burson, Pat (July 30, 1987). "Southwest Regional Library model unveiled". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1E, 4E . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  104. ↑ Cordell, Actor (May 31, 1990). "Library official says art contracts overdue". The Atlanta Journal. pp. 1E, 5E . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  105. 1 2 3 Fox, Catherine (August 1, 1990). "'Bridge' finally stands proud". The Atlanta Journal. pp. B1, B4 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  106. ↑ Fox, Catherine (April 4, 1988). "Downtown library plaza to get architectural facelift". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. 1C, 4C. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  107. ↑ Pousner, Howard (October 26, 1988). "Culture Notes". The Atlanta Journal. p. 71. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  108. 1 2 "Atlanta-Fulton Library Celebrates New Sculpture". Atlanta Daily World. July 29, 1990. p. 7. ProQuest   491709637.
  109. ↑ Cordell, Actor (January 21, 1993). "County plan allots funds for library, senior center". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 28. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  110. 1 2 "Library's African-American Collection Moving To Auburn". Atlanta Daily World. March 11, 1993. p. 1. ProQuest   491741691.
  111. ↑ Graham, Keith (January 3, 1993). "Auburn Avenue Research Library". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 62. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  112. 1 2 Dickerson, Priscilla; Piroli, Vivienne B.; Forman, Jennifer (November 29, 2022). "Auburn Avenue Research Library". Library Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  113. 1 2 "Library's lost luster: Twenty years of decay and obsolescence has siphoned Centrals' cultural swagger. A $3 million face-lift may not be enough". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. March 11, 2001. p. 1G.
  114. ↑ Olson, Renee; Meyer, Randy (June 1996). "Atlanta-Fulton gears up for Olympic fever". School Library Journal. Vol. 42, no. 6. p. 14. ProQuest   211670227.
  115. 1 2 3 Bennett, D. L. (March 11, 2001). "Library's lost luster". The Atlanta Journal. pp. G1, G6 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  116. ↑ Eckstein, Sandra (May 31, 1998). "Power struggle shows library system in turmoil". The Atlanta Constitution. p. C4. ISSN   2473-1609. ProQuest   247552875 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  117. ↑ "Gates Grants To Enhance Computer Technology In 28 Atlanta-Fulton Libraries". Atlanta Inquirer. February 26, 2000. p. 16. ProQuest   368260571.
  118. ↑ "Teen Technology Center Opens". Atlanta Inquirer. October 21, 2000. p. 10. ProQuest   368228627.
  119. ↑ Bennett, D. L. (2000). "Computer center hopes to draw teens". The Atlanta Journal. p. 127. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  120. ↑ Eberhart, George M. (October 2000). "Atlanta-Fulton library hit with bias suit". American Libraries. Vol. 31, no. 9. p. 14. ProQuest   197174661.
  121. 1 2 3 Donsky, Paul (June 14, 2002). "Controversy bruises Central Library image". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. D1. ProQuest   336890852.
  122. ↑ "South: Georgia: White Librarians Win Verdict". The New York Times. January 18, 2002. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  123. ↑ "Library upgrades begin". The Atlanta Constitution. September 14, 2001. p. 110. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  124. ↑ "Library renovated". The Atlanta Journal. October 2, 2001. p. 16. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  125. ↑ Scurry, Lessie (January 10, 2002). "Library reopens genealogy section". The Atlanta Constitution. p. JH1. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  126. ↑ Yoo, Charles (January 31, 2002). "Critics say 'weeding' more like clear-cutting". The Atlanta Constitution. p. JA11. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  127. ↑ "Shaky shelves in Atlanta keep 500,000 books closed". American Libraries. Vol. 34, no. 3. March 2003. p. 23. ProQuest   197161536 ; "Changes at main library". The Atlanta Voice. February 1, 2003. p. 7. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  128. ↑ Reid, S. A. (2005). "Atlanta-Fulton libraries get new director". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. D2. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  129. ↑ Kaplan, Paul (November 26, 2006). "Library system plans include Milton branch". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. ZH3. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  130. 1 2 3 Serratore, Angela (March 23, 2009). "Threatened in Atlanta: Breuer's Last Design". Preservation Nation. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  131. ↑ Reid, S. A. (April 14, 2005). "Library looks to renewal New director raises hopes for healing". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. JN1. ProQuest   337145524.
  132. 1 2 3 Oder, Norman (November 1, 2008). "Atlanta Library Bond Criticized". Library Journal. Vol. 133, no. 18. p. 16. ProQuest   196875501.
  133. ↑ Henry, Scott (May 28, 2008). "Pitts: Put downtown library on the block". Creative Loafing. p. 17. ProQuest   217809071.
  134. 1 2 3 Goldberg, Beverly (December 2008). "Voters Buck Gloomy Economic Outlook to Fund Libraries". American Libraries. Vol. 39, no. 11. p. 23. ProQuest   197187609.
  135. ↑ Blumenstein, Lynn; Oder, Norman (December 15, 2008). "Atlanta-Fulton Approves PL Bond". Library Journal. Vol. 133, no. 20. ProQuest   196835964.
  136. 1 2 Hurd, Hatcher (October 1, 2008). "Fulton citizens pose tough questions on library referendum". Appen Media. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  137. 1 2 3 4 5 Blau, Max (April 11, 2016). "What should happen next with the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library?". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  138. 1 2 Bennett, D. L. (2008). "Fulton voters will speak on library bond". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. D1, D4. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  139. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lerner, Jonathan (February 1, 2009). "Overdue!". Metropolis. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  140. ↑ "Machu Picchu on Endangered List". CBS News. October 6, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  141. 1 2 Rogers, Cynthia (2008). "Progress in preservation". The Atlanta Constitution. p. A11. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  142. ↑ Fox, Patrick; Edwards, Johnny (June 16, 2011). "Money to run new libraries is lacking". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. A1, A14. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  143. ↑ Edwards, Johnny (January 8, 2012). "Taking shelter in the library stacks". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B1. ProQuest   914518000 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  144. ↑ Turner, Kimberly (August 22, 2014). "Bibliophiles Rejoice! New & Improved Libraries Are on the Way!". atlanta.curbed.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025; "Auburn Avenue Research Library to Close For Renovations and Expansion". Atlanta Daily World. January 9, 2014. ProQuest   2493847899.
  145. 1 2 3 Keenan, Sean (March 4, 2016). "Library system debates downsizing – and iconic Central branch is caught in the middle". Creative Loafing. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  146. 1 2 3 Meier, Allison (March 24, 2016). "As Met Breuer Opens, Two of the Architect's Buildings Face an Uncertain Fate". Hyperallergic. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  147. 1 2 3 Kass, Arielle (May 20, 2016). "Fulton commissioners support keeping Central Library". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B5. ProQuest   1789940407 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  148. 1 2 3 Sayer, Jason (July 21, 2016). "Marcel Breuer Central Library to be renovated and NOT demolished". The Architect’s Newspaper. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  149. ↑ Kahn, Michael (May 12, 2016). "Decision-Makers Mull Future of Atlanta's Central Library". Curbed Atlanta. Retrieved December 26, 2025; Wheatley, Thomas (May 12, 2016). "What will happen to Atlanta's Central Library, an architecturally significant but undervalued building?". Creative Loafing. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  150. ↑ Wheatley, Thomas (June 22, 2016). "Atlanta City Council, whether it knows it or not, essentially supported demolition of Downtown's Central Library on Monday". Creative Loafing. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  151. ↑ Thompson, Laura (June 26, 2016). "Central Library: No, Atlanta is Not Demolishing Central Library: Council Resolution Will Be Clarified, Author Says". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B3. ProQuest   1799416287 ; Earnest, Darlene (June 23, 2016). "Atlanta City Council Backtracks On Building New Central Library". WABE. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  152. ↑ Shamma, Tasnim (July 20, 2016). "Fulton County Votes To Not Demolish Central Library". 90.1 FM WABE. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  153. 1 2 3 4 "Government/Public Building Award of Merit: Fulton County, Ga., Central Library Renovation". Engineering News-Record. November 1, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  154. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hickman, Matt (November 5, 2021). "Cooper Carry reveals an expansive refresh of Marcel Breuer's Atlanta Central Library". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  155. 1 2 "Central Atlanta Library readies to close in July for renovations". Curbed Atlanta. June 1, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  156. ↑ Kahn, Michael (November 17, 2016). "Mapped: Georgia's 10 most endangered, historic buildings". Curbed. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025; Poole, Shelia (November 16, 2016). "Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation releases Places in Peril list". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  157. ↑ Pendered, David (February 18, 2018). "Final meetings on five library renovations in Atlanta; Central Library's redesign continues quietly". SaportaReport. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  158. 1 2 Lee, Maggie (April 12, 2018). "Sketches of Atlanta Central Library new windows, tenants, draw criticism". SaportaReport. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  159. ↑ Wachs, Audrey (April 13, 2018). "Architect wants to add windows to Breuer's Atlanta library". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  160. ↑ Keenan, Sean Richard (May 9, 2018). "Officials adamant that adding windows to Central Atlanta Library should happen". Curbed Atlanta. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  161. ↑ Miller, Pamela (May 31, 2018). "Central Library in Downtown Atlanta Prepares to Close for Renovation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  162. ↑ Kass, Arielle (August 15, 2018). "Fulton County libraries close for renovation, tax rate is unchanged". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ProQuest   2088491712 ; Gross, Doug (August 16, 2018). "Central Library Getting A $44 Million Makeover". Atlanta, GA Patch. Retrieved December 26, 2025; "Fulton commission OKs $44.2M deal for Central Library". Fulton Neighbor. November 24, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  163. ↑ Smith, Andrea (July 8, 2019). "Atlanta library in park inspires outreach during renovations". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved December 26, 2025; Kass, Arielle (July 6, 2018). "Free laptop access to help with Atlanta library closure starts Monday". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  164. ↑ Kass, Arielle (July 20, 2018). "With library closed for renovations, Atlanta history will go online". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ProQuest   2072568924.
  165. ↑ Keenan, Sean (July 26, 2019). "Exterior work begins on downtown's iconic Central Atlanta Library". Curbed. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  166. 1 2 Kass, Arielle (April 16, 2018). "Atlanta Central Library seeks space for the future to meet new needs". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  167. 1 2 3 Malone, David (November 22, 2021). "Atlanta's Central Library completes its $50 million renovation". Building Design + Construction. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  168. ↑ "Atlanta Central Library nominated to the National Register of Historic Places". Docomomo. August 24, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  169. ↑ Turner, Kimberly (August 22, 2014). "Bibliophiles Rejoice! New & Improved Libraries Are on the Way!". atlanta.curbed.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  170. 1 2 Keenan, Sean (December 19, 2019). "Renovations jeopardize downtown library's shot at making National Register of Historic Places". Curbed. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  171. 1 2 Price, SallyAnn (September 1, 2022). "2022 Library Design Showcase". American Libraries Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  172. 1 2 "Central Atlanta Library's controversial redo is almost finished. Is it really so bad?". Urbanize Atlanta. February 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  173. 1 2 3 4 Wheatley, Thomas (October 7, 2021). "Take a look inside the newly renovated Fulton County Central Library". Axios (website). Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  174. ↑ Moffatt, Emil (October 4, 2021). "Fulton County re-opens downtown library after $50 million renovation project". 90.1 FM WABE. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  175. ↑ "Central Library". Fulton County Library System. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  176. 1 2 "Atlanta Property Information". Department of City Planning GIS. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  177. 1 2 Poros 2022 , p. 148.
  178. 1 2 3 4 Architectural Record 1981 , p. 87.
  179. 1 2 "New Library: Breuer Bauhaus". The Atlanta Constitution. June 3, 1979. p. 206. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  180. 1 2 Poros 2022 , pp. 159–160.
  181. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 McCarter 2024 , p. 392.
  182. 1 2 3 4 Architectural Record 1981 , p. 85.
  183. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Poros 2022 , p. 161.
  184. ↑ Vitra Design Museum 2003 , p. 377.
  185. ↑ Poros 2022 , pp. 160–161.
  186. ↑ Bevington, Rickey (July 19, 2016). "The Case For Saving Atlanta's Ugliest Library". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  187. ↑ Poros 2022 , p. 160.
  188. 1 2 3 Poros 2022 , pp. 161–162.
  189. 1 2 3 Architectural Record 1981 , p. 86.
  190. 1 2 3 McCarter 2024 , pp. 391–392.
  191. ↑ Kass, Arielle (December 26, 2019). "A decade of library projects nears end: $275 million program to build 9 libraries, renovate 23 others is set to finish in 2020". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ProQuest   2330512077.
  192. 1 2 3 4 Poros 2022 , p. 162.
  193. ↑ Poros 2022 , p. 164.
  194. ↑ "Tree of Light in Atlanta, GA". Public Art Archive. July 19, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  195. ↑ Architectural Record 1981 , pp. 86–87.
  196. ↑ "Central History". Fulton County Library System. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  197. ↑ Gaines, Jim (June 26, 2023). "Go behind the scenes of Fulton County's $7.6 million art collection". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  198. ↑ Johnston, Andy (September 15, 2014). "Actual Factual Georgia". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  199. ↑ Feagans, Brian (June 20, 2006). "Library Board Cuts Spanish Fiction Budget". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. pp. B1, B5. ProQuest   337263816 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  200. 1 2 Graham, Keith (June 18, 1981). "Atlanta Library Contains Much More than Books". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 95. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  201. 1 2 "Special Collections". Fulton County Library System. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  202. ↑ Thomas, Kenneth H. Jr. (July 6, 1980). "Genealogy". The Atlanta Journal. p. 70. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  203. ↑ Davis, Anita Price (January 10, 2014). The Margaret Mitchell Encyclopedia. McFarland. ISBN   978-0-7864-9245-9 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  204. ↑ Howard, Lee (March 18, 2014). "Gone with the Wind trail: the top 10 sights in Atlanta". The Guardian. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  205. ↑ Gone with the Wind and Its Author Margaret Mitchell. Macmillan Company. 1961. p. 23. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  206. 1 2 Jackson, Andrew P.; DeLoach, Marva L.; Fenton, Michele (December 15, 2024). Handbook of Black Librarianship. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. p. 250. ISBN   978-1-5381-8111-9 . Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  207. ↑ "Atlanta Library Collection To Honor Rev. Sam Williams". Atlanta Daily World. January 31, 1971. p. 5. ProQuest   491346989.
  208. ↑ "Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History". New Georgia Encyclopedia. April 18, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  209. ↑ Stewart, Jim (December 11, 1975). "'It's Like An Old Friend': Bond Issue Closes the Book On 75-Year-Old City Library". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. 1A, 8A. ISSN   2473-1609 . Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  210. ↑ "Architects Will Exhibit Models Sunday". The Atlanta Journal. February 8, 1978. p. 94. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  211. ↑ Dunlop, Beth (February 22, 1981). "Broward library sure to shimmer". The Miami Herald. p. 242. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  212. ↑ Architectural Record 1981 , p. 84.
  213. ↑ Burnett, W. C. (July 8, 1981). "Architect Marcel Breuer's influence memorialized in Atlanta Public Library". The Atlanta Journal. p. 23. Retrieved December 26, 2025– via newspapers.com.
  214. ↑ Lerner, Jonathan (February 18, 2009). "Atlanta's urge for a trendy new central library may mean that time is up for Marcel Breuer's final building". Metropolis Magazine. Archived from the original on July 4, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  215. ↑ "Culture" (PDF). Architect. Vol. 98, no. 10. October 2009. p. 50.
  216. ↑ Vitra Design Museum 2003 , p. 28.
  217. ↑ Young, Ben (August 30, 2021). "From the Publisher: Lifelines for Learning". Georgia Trend Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  218. ↑ Vashakmadze, Shota (March 29, 2022). "The remodel of Marcel Breuer's Atlanta Central Library demonstrates the fault lines of preservation causes". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved December 26, 2025.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.