Monday, November 24, 2014

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System To Open New Palmetto Library!

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the new Palmetto Library, which will open to the public with a celebration on Monday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m.

The new 10,000-square-foot library for Palmetto and Chattahoochee Hills is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program. The library is located at 9111 Cascade Palmetto Highway, Palmetto, GA 30268, an area not previously served by a library.

Houser Walker Architecture provided design and engineering services for the new library. New South Construction provided construction management services on this project, and Heery/Russell was the program management team.

The Palmetto Library is imagined as a series of ‘rooms’ or small buildings nestled within a semi-rural landscape. Drawing on vernacular structures from the region, it features large rooms, corresponding to the major functions of the Library. A nearby barn provided inspiration for the overall form of the building, which responds to specific views, solar characteristics, and functional requirements of each defined room. Materials used for the exterior of the library draw upon the legacy of building in the entire Palmetto/Chattahoochee Hills region, while reinforcing the civic character of the structure. The structure will age well and give a rich patina to the building as time passes. 

In November 2008, Fulton County voters overwhelmingly passed the Library Bond Referendum. The plan will greatly enhance all of the county’s libraries, and includes 8 new branch libraries: Alpharetta, East Roswell, Milton, Northwest Atlanta, Palmetto, Southeast Atlanta, Metropolitan and Wolf Creek, and two expansion projects: Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History and the South Fulton Library. The Library Building Program plan maintains 34 libraries, the current number of libraries in the system, by eliminating leased spaces and its oldest libraries. Green building design and sustainability are priorities for these library building projects, and the Library System expects to achieve LEED Silver on all of the Phase I projects.

An important part of each new library is its public art project. Through the Fulton County Art in Public Places Resolution, 1% of each building project budget goes toward the creation of public art. For the Palmetto Library, artist Andrew T. Crawford was selected through a community-driven selection process, and has produced a large steel sculpture visitors will see as they enter entitled, On a Roll. The 15-foot-long and 5-foot-wide sculpture, created entirely out of solid metal bent bars, is loosely based on the imagery of an old tractor that has been left in a field.

For more information or to R.S.V.P. please call 404-730-1977 or email zenobia.claxton@fultoncountyga.gov. To keep up-to-date on the Library Building Program or other library events, visit www.afpls.org.



Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is the largest in the state, with 34 libraries and a collection of more than 2.5 million items. 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. Last year patrons borrowed more than 3.6 million items, made 4 million visits to the libraries and our website had over 5 million hits.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Become A Volunteer At Your Library!

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reflect on how you can give back to your community. Volunteer efforts are a large sustaining part of so many non-profit organizations around our city and county, and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System could not be more thankful this time of year for all of our wonderful volunteers! If you are looking for a place to donate your time through charitable work, why not consider your local branch library? There are countless ways to get involved at all of our locations. We would love to welcome you aboard our fabulous team!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

All volunteers are asked to complete a Volunteer Application!

The Application for Volunteer Service can be submitted to the Office of Volunteer Services of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System (AFPLS) by mail, fax or dropped off at any of our branches.
Volunteer Services: 404-730-1965

Auburn Avenue Research Library Volunteer
Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
Volunteers at the library assist with behind-the-scenes clerical tasks and/or serve as docents/tour guides and hosts/hostesses for special events. SeeVolunteer Opportunities.

Children's Program Aide
Assist staff with preschool story hour by preparing craft materials and name tags, ushering and supervising children during programs. Assist with puppet shows, parenting workshops and other programs. Help with Summer Reading Program by registering children and distributing certificates.

Computer Lab Specialist
Skilled computer users are needed to assist the public by answering questions and assisting with computer basics, Internet access, word processing, spread sheets and other software programs in Library computer labs or to assist with computer classes.

Computer Lab Trainer/Workshop Presenter
Experienced trainers needed to conduct workshops on computer basics, software applications, resume writing, Internet use and other computer-related topics.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Coach
Volunteers conduct or assist with small classes for individuals learning to speak English. The Library provides training and resources for teachers and students.

Homework Help Assistance
Volunteers are needed in branches that have Homework Help Centers by helping students with their homework after school, including assisting students utilizing the computers for their assignments, and providing general supervision of the children. Another great group project. Adopt a branch now!

Job Search Coach
Help individuals learn to use library technology resources to develop their resume and use the Internet to search and apply for jobs online.

Library Clerical Aide
Help library staff with such tasks as preparing arts and crafts materials for library programs, checking books and other library materials for damage, making simple repairs, assisting with filing and/sorting library material.

Library User Survey Assistant
Take counts of library patrons and distribute surveys on library usage at the Central Library and at branches. Done several times a year. Different shifts available.

Literacy Tutor
Assist adults who are learning to read or are improving their reading skills. Volunteers are paired with learners and work one-on-one. The Library provides training and resources for tutors and learners. (more information)

Math Tutor
Volunteers with math skills needed to assist individuals with basic math such as adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages.

Shape Up The Shelves!
Shape Up The Shelves group projects make it easy for volunteers to get involved with the Library. Days of service are designed with the busy person in mind. They are also a fun team builder for organizations. Teams search the shelves for lost items, shelve books, assist with processing materials and straighten stacks--important behind-the-scenes tasks that help get books and materials in the hands of patrons. With this blitz approach, groups of volunteers help the library accomplish, in a short time, tasks which otherwise might take months.

Spanish Language Teachers
Volunteers fluent in Spanish and familiar with teaching techniques are needed to present a workshop series on basic Spanish. (Volunteers fluent in other languages may also be needed to present workshops.)

Please be aware that not all opportunities are needed at all times and jobs vary by Library location. We will do our best to give you an assignment that suits your interests and skills at the location of your choice.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

South Fulton Library Closes for Renovation and Expansion


The South Fulton Library will close temporarily as of Monday, November 17 for renovation and expansion.


This renovation and expansion of the library, located at 4055 Flat Shoals Road,Union City, is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program that is currently underway.

McAfee3Architects, in association with Craig Gaulden Davis, has contracted with Fulton County to provide design and engineering services for the new library. Evergreen Construction Group will provide construction management services on the project, and Heery/Russell is the program management team.

When the renovation and expansion are complete, the library will go from its current 15,000-square-feet to 25,000-square feet and will include additional meeting space, state-of-the-art presentation equipment, enhanced space for children’s services and a separate area for teens.

Construction for the expansion and renovation will take approximately 12 months, and the reopening of the library is expected in the first quarter of 2016. During construction library service will be available at the following nearby locations:
-       College Park Branch: 3647 Main Street, College Park 30337
-       Fairburn Branch: 60 Valley View Drive, Fairburn 30213
-       Southwest Branch: 3665 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta 30331
-       Wolf Creek Branch: 3100 Enon Road, Atlanta 30331

Green building design and sustainability are priorities for all Phase I library projects, and the Library System expects to achieve LEED Silver on each project. Each library will reflect the culture and interests of its community.

In November 2008, Fulton County voters overwhelmingly passed the Library Bond Referendum. The plan will greatly enhance all of the county’s libraries, and Phase I includes 8 new branch libraries, Alpharetta, East Roswell, Milton, Northwest Atlanta, Palmetto, Southeast Atlanta, Metropolitan, and Wolf Creek and 2 expanded libraries, the Auburn Avenue Research Library and the South Fulton Branch. 


For more information please visit our website www.afpls.org or call 404-730-1977.