Opened in Atlanta in the year 1994, the Auburn Avenue Research Library is the first library in the Southeast to have a specialized purpose, to honor and offer academic resources for the history and research done on African American culture. With art and journals, all information related to the culture of black history are examined and depicted.
Years ago it lived a different life and according to the site’s history, “The one-story red-brick building, located at 333 Auburn Avenue, officially opened July 25, 1921, becoming Atlanta’s first public library branch for African Americans. Before then, black citizens were excluded under the era’s Jim Crow laws from public library service in the city.”
Since the middle of last year, the library has been closed for expansion. Sharon E. Robinson is the library’s administrator and lends a closer look.
“As part of Phase 1 of the Library Bond/Building Program, the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History closed in July 2014,” Robinson said. “Renovations and expansion will include additional specialized storage space, expanded exhibition galleries, enhanced lobby and reception area and additional programming space for special events and programs. Construction for the expansion and renovation will take approximately 12 months and the reopening of the renovated and expanded research library is expected in the third quarter of 2016.”
During the lengthy alteration, the services visitors would find in the original location have been relocated. They can be currently be viewed at the Central Library located on One Margaret Mitchell Square on the corner of Carnegie Way and Forsyth Street.
“Even though we are closed for reconstruction, we are in constant collaboration with other libraries. We do have exhibits ongoing that with be featured at Hammonds House Museum,” Robinson said. “We currently have an exhibit there now entitled Open Season by renowned artist Shanequa Gay. It is an interpretive piece that addresses issues that are happening currently today with black males, a visual critique on the disenfranchisement.”
Other events going on are relevant to some who would never see themselves in the library. According to Robinson, her favorite program was when they collaborated with Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“There was a day where they came down to look at heirlooms and national treasures that we and the Atlanta metro area had,” Robinson said. “We also had a day with them where it was geared towards children and they explained to them the importance of preservation of history.”
Inside the Resource
Taking a deeper look within the library, there are three main divisions; reference and research, archives and program.
In the research and reference section, there lies a variety of records, secondary sources and web accessible research for the study of African American culture and history and the African Diaspora. On the main floor, there is a comfortable, quiet environment for thought and inquiry, which includes research tables, microform readers, computer stations and exhibition cases.
Located on the second floor, the archives division preserves and makes available unique historical records, with a concentration on local Atlanta history. There are cartographic records, graphic arts, still photographs, sound recordings and art all shown and available. There are also rare book collections.
In the program division, the library’s mission is supported. They serve the interested audience with books discussions, readings, exhibitions, film screenings, lectures, seminars, tours and workshops. There is an auditorium, small gallery and conference spaces. “Through its cultural, educational, and scholarly programming which is local, national and transnational in scope,” Robinson said. “The program division helps interpret and highlight the institution’s rich collections and provides outreach to the general public, as well as to Atlanta’s academic community.”
While the facility appears to only service for one’s looking to educate themselves, there is so much more. At the Auburn Avenue Research Library, there are opportunities offered to those who want to do the educating.
“The Auburn Avenue Research Library offers volunteer and internship opportunities for the general public, college undergraduate and graduate students,” Robinson said. “The internship program objective is to provide interns an introductory knowledge of the function and fundamentals of a special library through observation and hands-on experience. The internship program meets this objective through a number of strategies.”
The Divided Mind of the Black Church
Theology, Piety & Public Witness
Community Lecture / Book Signing
Southwest Library
3665 Cascade Road Southwest
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Thursday, Feb. 19 • 4 p.m.
The Southwest Library in collaboration with the Auburn Avenue Research Library will host Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, Senior Pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, who will discuss his latest publication, The Divided Mind of the Black Church: Theology, Piety and Public Witness. The book traces the historical significance of the rise and development of black theology as an important conversation partner for the black church. Calling for honest dialogue between black and womanist theologians and black pastors, this fresh theological treatment demands a new look at the church’s essential mission.
Benny Andrews: The Visible Man
Film Screening / Community Discussion
West End Library
525 Peeples Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30310
Tuesday, Feb. 24 • 1 p.m.
In collaboration with L and S Video, the Auburn Avenue Research Library and Hammonds House Museum will host a screening of the documentary film, Benny Andrews: The Visible Man. The film explores the life of renowned artist and educator Benny Andrews whose figurative expressionist style celebrated the human spirit and the pursuit of the American Dream. This film is part of the Art History of the African Diaspora Film Series and includes a post screening discussion and a special viewing of art work by Benny Andrews from the Hammonds House Museum’s collection.
Saving the Soul of Georgia
Donald L. Hollowell and the Struggle for Civil Rights
Community Lecture / Book Signing
Central Library
One Margaret Mitchell Square
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Thursday, Feb. 26 • 7 p.m.
The AFPLS Central Library, in collaboration with the Auburn Avenue Research Library, will host Dr. Maurice C. Daniels, who will discuss his latest publication, Saving the Soul of Georgia: Donald L. Hollowell and The Struggle for Civil Rights, the first biography of a pivotal but unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement.
The library is an academic resource, but there is an underlying importance to a building dedicated to honoring Black History.
“The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is one of five public African American research libraries who are part of a public library system in the United States,” Robinson said. “As a special library, the Auburn Avenue Research Library collects, preserves and provides public access to its resources and services to the independent learner… Our mission and our scope is to collect, preserve and make available African American resources that document the achievements.”
Even though the library is undoubtedly a scholarly resource, it is an overlooked asset to those still in college.
“The Resource Library is in the Central Library and if students are given any assignments where they need to consult resources that aren’t available on campus, they can come by and take advantage of ours,” Robinson said.
The Auburn Avenue Research Library has a close history with consorting with Georgia State’s African American Studies professors and the departments. Many of them encourage their students to use the close resource.
“The Auburn Avenue Research Library is an important research library for the study of people of African descent and has become a vital force in the intellectual and cultural life of the Atlanta metro community and to the world,” Robinson said.
