Atlanta – Fulton Public Library – Buckhead Branch

I felt like I stepped into a historical treasure because I haven’t been in a library for years! Parking lot was small but during lunchtime on a weekday, I was able to secure one of a handful of available parking spots left. The process of getting a library card was quick. It took less than 15 minutes. The staff is friendly and helpful. The library is clean. There are computers to check references and go online. Near the check out counter are a couple of racks with books on sale (prices were as low as $ 1). I was able to find what I was looking for and look forward to coming back!

I went to the library last week to return a book and my car got booted. I didn’t realize that I had to actually pay to literally drop off a book, but the audacity to charge me $ 75 while dropping it off was ridiculous. I will NEVER come back here EVER again.

Overall a quiet library if you ever wanna get away from the hustle and bustle that is the Northside of Atlanta. Just beware of the parking situation and you should be okay. You could probably park somewhere else close by just be mindful of traffic.
Only thing is where are the two lion statues everybody keeps talking about? Where exactly are they located? I can’t seem to find them lol

One of my favorite libraries in Atlanta! Convenient, good staff, and a wide selection of books to pick from.

If you need to study or do work and you’re limited to going to a library, this is the best one in all of Atlanta.

This is a beautiful building to visit with its gorgeous staircase and long, high-​ceilinged corridors. You will recognize the public library as soon as you approach it on Fifth Avenue and see the two lions. The building is beautiful inside and out. There are many exhibitions going on and all are free. Unfortunately at present the main reading room is closed.

In this age of dying books, libraries, already few and far between shouldn’t be inaccessible! Perhaps it is my own fault for attempting to visit the library during Atlanta rush hour (in my defense, it’s early closing hours make this inevitable unless you do not work during the day), but it was a nightmare even getting to the place.
THEN, upon arriving at the location, stuck in amongst restaurants and a ton of construction, an attendant stopped me outside the tiny parking lot adjacent to the library and told me parking would be $ 5. What?! I have to pay to park at the library?
My subsequent trip to return my items was exactly the same (except this time, I told the attendant I wouldn’t be paying him just to drop items in the dropbox.)
THAT BEING SAID, this library is really beautiful. I’m not sure if it was a restaurant or a gallery in a past life or if the building was designed to be a library, but it’s nautical theming is such a wonderful change from the typical EIFS boxes that usually contain books in the city. It’s design invites imagination and wonder, and it’s really a shame that it is hidden amongst the skyscrapers of Buckhead.
The layout inside is pretty intuitive, they have a pretty decent movie collection, and the staff is helpful.
Also, even though they are almost never available, this branch offers special Zoo and Aquarium passes that you can check out, as you would a book, and use to go to one of the Atlanta establishments.

I love this library. People are super friendly and helpful –but how you going to be a library and the patrons and the ladies behind the desk loud as hell? I’m just saying?

I’ll preface this by saying I moved down here from a very expensive town outside of NYC with the most amazing library ever. I thought, being the Buckhead library, this would be fancy too. It’s not. They even have a huge selection of books on tape — cassette tape! Some of the material is definitely dated.
That being said, I love the library and check out books from here all the time. Their selection is pretty good, and of course you can order books from other local libraries and have them delivered to the Buckhead Branch. I also like that they have a book donation bin right outside the door, since I tend to need to free up space on my bookshelves a lot and this is much more convenient than heading up to Goodwill all the time.
Heads up that the (free) library parking lot turns into the ($ 3 or so) Fado’s self-​park lot after hours, so I frequently get greeted by a red-​shirted Fado parking guy looking for money when I stop in. All you have to do is tell them you’re off to the library instead and you’re all set.

This modern structure is an island of civilization and civility in the middle of blocks of holes in the ground where construction has lingered for five years.
Bravo to the fine public employees and volunteers of the Atlanta-​Fulton Public Library System. I began using this branch when it was named Ida Williams Branch, in a previous structure. I love this structure, but my love is dimmed by the full-​length window, now obscured by a housing development across Pharr Road, always bringing ultraviolet light to fade the spines of a shelf of biographies, and the dim overhead lights above the bookshelves, way way up difficult to change without a Genie lift, which makes it difficult to see.
Also difficult to see: items on the bottom shelf, shelved sideways or any old way: there must be a solution for this.
The Atlanta-​Fulton County Public Library System, like other public libraries, serves more people more ways in a recession. I am a fan of Children’s Services here in particular: always helpful, always available. There’s a fine meeting room. I always look at the two shelves of books for sale, to benefit a support group I keep meaning to join.
Meanwhile, here’s my thumbs-​up for Buckhead Branch.

I went to this library last week since it was the only one nearby that had the book I was looking for. I wanted to just sit and read, but there weren’t any comfortable chairs, so I chose the floor. It was also really cold! Save some (taxpayer) money and the planet by air conditioning less, please!
I was disappointed by how old and run down the place seems. I expected better from Buckhead.

Great for studying. Never so busy that you can’t have a table to yourself. And the staff is friendly and always willing to help and answer any questions you may have.

I stopped in this library to browse books and I was drawn in by the large windows. There is not much of a view but I love the natural light! I was able to buy a hardcover cookbook for only $ 1.00! The staff is very nice and helpful. I reduced my rating to four stars because there is not enough parking.

I got my first libary card when I was five, so needless to say the library has always been apart of my life. This libary is super old school, which I like! It reminds me of my childhood.
The libary staff are friendly and will help you find anything you need. They have plenty of computers for people to use and also free wi-​fi. The new books sections is small but decent and the large-​print books are right out front as well. I’ll probably need to start checking out books from that section sooner than later. lol
Only one con: The employee parking is about half of the parking spaces! It unreal.

After a disappointing walk through of the Peachtree branch, I was SO excited to find the Buckhead one. Oddly, I’ve passed by it going to Fado’s a million times yet I’ve never noticed that it was a library. For being in the city, it really excites me that they have a parking lot. The library itself is really spacious with plenty of study tables, and a decent amount of computers and dvd’s.
I give this only 4 stars instead of 5 though because although the library itself is large, it could use a larger (and maybe newer) selection of books.

The whole Atlanta-​Fulton library system gets big ups from me. Free books and music and free wi-​fi in some branches, and easy management of your library account online. Also, you can pay fines with a debit card at some branches now, and they are working on setting up the system so you can pay online.
The people at the Buckhead Branch are especially nice and a very well-​read crowd. Ask a checkout clerk for a recommendation the next time you are in, and you may just discover your new favorite author.

Yay! Free books!
It’s easy to forget how fun and useful these publicly funded book banks actually are.
The Buckhead Brach gets four stars because it is a real architectural gem, the people are nice, and the location is very convenient. I could wish it had a larger selection, but it does have a good bit and popular authors are well represented.
Like any library, if the next book in your series or the obscure thing you were looking for is not available, it is easy to place it on order and get it in a few days. This is very helpful if, like me, you cannot bear the thought of waiting to start the next book in a series.
Because it is so gorgeous, the Buckhead branch is a nice place to sit and read all afternoon. When your studies are done and your brain suitably exhausted, you can step next door to unwind at Fados!

Buckhead Library is a great resource if you’re like me and don’t like to buy every single book you read!
The best way to get a book you want is to go online and reserve it before getting there. Most best sellers and new releases will have a hold of at least 30ppl or at least 1 month…
So be patient and take it for what it is– FREE BOOKS!

Okay, I admit it. I’ve lived a block from this library for several years and never bothered to get a library card. Why would I need one? Well, right now I need one for Internet access since Comcast hasn’t been out to establish my service again.
This is a really cool looking library and I’m glad they decided not to sell out and allow it to be torn down (and then rebuilt) by the developers putting together The Streets of Buckhead.
There are lots of computers to use and you get two 60 minute sessions per day. Not bad, but the wait can get a little tiresome (especially if inconsiderate people log in for a second session while people are waiting… *AHEM* really fat girl sending out resumes next to me).
I have lots of books, but it’s nice to know in case I need another one I can get it free here (neat idea, huh?). I think I’ll check out some DVD’s to watch until Netflix can send me the new season of Weeds.

Ironically located behind the soon to be gutted Buckhead strip of bars and booty lies the Buckhead branch of the Atlanta-​Fulton Public Library.
If you drive down Buckhead Avenue looking for a stodgy red brick government building, well, then, you’ll miss it and be lost for hours. This particular branch of books and Dewey decimals is swathed in beautiful modern architecture and is quite the contrast to the Miller Lite advertising signs around the corner. Lots of glass, a warm black slate exterior, surprising sharp angles and shadows. Makes me happy.
Now if you don’t give a shite about modern architecture, ignore the spectacular entryway canopy and head for, well, the books.