Join The Big Read 2014!

The Atlanta History Center, in partnership with the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, presents The Big Read! This program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. It is the largest reading program in American history and a multi-faceted initiative uniting communities across the nation through great literature. Chances to participate abound! With book chats, lectures, storytimes, films and more being hosted at many of our branches, you are sure to find a way to get involved.

This year’s selection is Luis Alberto Urrea’s Into the Beautiful North, a

present day quest novel set in the highly charged atmosphere of the U.S.–Mexico border region. The program encourages the public to get involved with the Big Read by reading the book, attending free programs and promoting the initiative in their community.

A list of highlighted programs being can be found below, but be sure to visit the Atlanta History Center's website for more events and other information. Reservations may be be required for most events, so call 404.814.4000 for more details. We hope all of our patrons will join in the reading and also the fun!

2014 Big Read Highlights

The Big Read: Into the Beautiful North                                          

Coming to America: Stories from Atlanta’s Immigrant Communities

Monday, September 15. 7:00 p.m.

Listen to the stories of fellow Atlantans who have emigrated from their home countries to the United States. Their stories span the past half century and around the world -- from as far away as Poland, Vietnam, and Ethiopia; to right across the border in Mexico.  

Keynote Lecture With Luis Alberto UrreaLocation: Atlanta History CenterWednesday, September 17. 7:00 p.m.

Join the Atlanta History Center for an unforgettable evening with Into the Beautiful North author, Luis Alberto Urrea, and celebrate The Big Read.

Big Read Film Festival: Location: Atlanta History CenterSunday, October 5. Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Spend an afternoon celebrating the parallels between page and screen as we showcase movies that relate to the topics and themes in Luis Alberto Urrea’s Into the Beautiful North.

12:00 p.m. - The Magnificent Seven, the 1960 John Sturge’s classic Western film that Into the Beautiful North pays homage to, in which an oppressed Mexican peasant village assembles seven gunfighters to help defend their homes. This film stars Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, and Charles Bronson.

3:00 p.m. - Under the Same Moon, (La Misma Luna) tells the parallel stories of nine-year-old Carlitos and his mother, Rosario. In the hopes of providing a better life for her son, Rosario works illegally in the U.S. while her mother cares for Carlitos back in Mexico. Unexpected circumstances drive both Rosario and Carlitos to embark on their own journeys in a desperate attempt to reunite. Along the way, mother and son face challenges and obstacles but never lose hope that they will one day be together again.

The Big Read’s “Little Read” Storytime

Location: Ocee Library 

Monday, September 15. 10:30 a.m.

Join the Atlanta History Center and Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System for a “Little Read,” a part of a month-long celebration of reading known as The Big Read. Staff from the Atlanta History Center will present this exciting storytime for children ages 3-5.

The Big Read 2014 Author Talk: Luis Alberto Urrea

Location: Roswell Library

Wednesday, September 17. 2:00 p.m.                               

The Roswell Library will host Luis Alberto Urea, author of the book, Into the Beautiful North, the Big Read’s 2014 selection. Come meet with author and hear him discuss his book.

The Big Read Book Chat 

Location: Hapeville Library

Thursday, September 18. 2:00 p.m.

The Atlanta History Center and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System present a book chat on Into the Beautiful North, this year’s Big Read selection written by Luis Alberto Urrea. Adults.

The Big Read Book Chat 

Location Bowen/Bankhead Library

Wednesday, September 24. 12:00 p.m.

The Atlanta History Center and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System present a book chat on Into the Beautiful North, this year’s Big Read selection written by Luis Alberto Urrea. Light refreshments will be served.  Adults.

The Big Read Book Chat 

Location: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library

Wednesday, October 1. 4:30 p.m.

The Atlanta History Center and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System present a book chat on Into the Beautiful North, this year’s Big Read selection written by Luis Alberto Urrea. Light refreshments will be served. Adults.

Wolf Creek Library Grand Opening!

In just a matter of days your new Wolf Creek Library will be opening its doors to the public for the very first time, and we'd love to welcome all of our patrons to join us for the grand opening celebration! Located in Southwest Atlanta at 3100 Enon Road, this branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is in a location that previously did not have library service close by. Residents will now be able to check out materials, families with small children will attend storytimes, teens will come to study and take advantage of homework help, and everyone will be able to work on the public computers, use free WiFi, enjoy author talks, and attend other great programs at this beautiful new library. 

This 25,000-square-foot library for Wolf Creek is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program. Leo A. Daly Co. provided design and engineering services for the new library, and Hogan Construction Group,LLC, provided construction management services. Heery/Russell was the program management team. 

Situated in a wooded landscape this library is truly unique with its striking copper-colored metal paneled exterior and stacked stone details. The large floor-to-ceiling windows provide an expansive view of nature, and allow tremendous natural light into the building. With access to a large meeting room area, study rooms, a music room, and separate spaces for teens and for children, the patrons of Wolf Creek are sure to be pleased! 

Other important aspects of this library and all of the others included in the Library Building Program are both the public art component and the environmentally sustainable LEED certification.Through the Fulton County Art in Public Places Resolution, 1% of each building project budget goes toward the creation of public art. Local artist Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier, whose work can be found in the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, was selected through a community-driven selection process, and has created a soaring sculpture visitors will see as they enter entitled, Strength of Heart: A Journey Project for the Community at Wolf Creek. She has also contributed several framed quilted works which are placed throughout the library. Through green building design each of these new libraries expects to achieve LEED Silver status.

Please plan a visit to this beautiful new facility and take advantage of all this state of the art library has to offer!