Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
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| Country | United States |
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| Type | Special library |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Website | www |
The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is a special library within the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, located in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District. The Auburn Avenue Research Library "is the first library in the Southeast to offer specialized reference and archival collections dedicated to the study and research of African American culture and history and of other peoples of African descent."
"Occupying 50,000 square feet, the Auburn Avenue Research Library's four-story, red-brick-and-black-granite structure is actually three buildings in one: a library research area containing general reference books and materials, study areas, and a reading room; a public section housing exhibit cases, general reference materials, and a main reading room; and an archive that includes a core of library stacks running through the center of the building on the second and third floors."
The library is open to the public, however, valid library cards are required for access to collections. Also, "all researchers wishing to use archival collections are encouraged to make an appointment with an Archives Division staff person prior to visiting the Research Library."
"In 2001, the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History received a Governor's Award in the Humanities."
Library renovations are planned, and are expected to be completed in late 2015.
The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American History and culture opened in May 1994 in its current location. "Its core collection was formed at the Auburn Branch of the Carnegie Library of Atlanta." "This branch, opened in 1921, was Atlanta's first public library branch for African Americans." "Due to Jim Crow laws, African Americans were denied public library service which began in 1902."
"From 1921-1959, the Auburn Avenue Research Library provided educational and community programming and amassed its core collection called the Negro History Collection." "The collection grew to include bound copies of magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals by, for, and about African Americans, including the Atlanta Daily World, Crisis, Journal of Negro Education, and Negro History Bulletin." The library closed in 1959. After the library's closure, the Negro History Collection moved to the West Hunter Branch. "This branch was built in 1949 to accommodate the demands for expanded public library service from the increasing numbers of African Americans who had migrated to Atlanta's west side."
The collection moved again in 1970, to "where Central Library now stands at One Margaret Mitchell Square." "One year later, the collection was named the Samuel W. Williams Collection on Black America, in honor of the Atlanta-based educator, theologian, and philosopher." "The collection remained at the main library until 1994, and was then moved to the newly built Auburn Avenue Research Library."
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