Exploring the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is one of Atlanta’s most important cultural institutions. If you live in the city, are visiting, or are trying to understand Atlanta’s Black history and literary scene, this is a place you’ll want to know well.

Located in the historic Sweet Auburn district, the library is part of the Fulton County Library System and focuses on the history, culture, and experiences of people of African descent, with a special emphasis on Atlanta and the American South.

Where the Auburn Avenue Research Library Is and How to Get There

Address:
Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Main phone (through Fulton County Library System):
It’s best to search “Auburn Avenue Research Library phone number” to confirm the current line, as contact details may change.

Getting there from around Atlanta

• By MARTA rail:
  • The library is within walking distance of Peachtree Center and Five Points stations.
  • From Peachtree Center, it’s roughly a 10–15 minute walk along Peachtree Center Ave and then toward Auburn Ave.
• By Atlanta Streetcar:
  • The Auburn at Piedmont stop on the streetcar line leaves you just steps away from the library.
• Driving and parking:
  • Street parking and nearby paid lots are typically available, but can fill up during events and weekday business hours.
  • If you’re combining your visit with stops at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park or Sweet Auburn Curb Market, plan time to park once and walk between sites.

💡 Tip: Check the Fulton County Library System’s website or call ahead for current hours and any holiday or event-related closures before you make a special trip.

What Makes the Auburn Avenue Research Library Unique in Atlanta

Unlike a typical neighborhood branch, the Auburn Avenue Research Library is a specialized research and cultural center. It combines:

• A public library focused on African American and African diaspora topics
• A research archive for scholars, students, and family historians
• A cultural venue for exhibits, author talks, film screenings, and community programs

If you’re exploring literary Atlanta, this is one of the city’s key spaces for understanding Black writers, thinkers, and activists connected to Atlanta’s past and present.

Core Collections: What You’ll Find Inside

Books and general collections

The library’s shelves hold a broad range of materials centered on African American and African diaspora experiences, including:

• Nonfiction on history, politics, civil rights, religion, sociology, and the arts
• Biographies of major Black leaders, artists, writers, and local figures
• Literature by Black authors from Atlanta, the South, and around the world
• Children’s and young adult books that center Black characters and creators

Many Atlantans use Auburn Avenue as a go-to place when they want more depth on topics like the civil rights movement, Atlanta’s Black neighborhoods, or African diasporic culture than they’d find in a standard branch library.

Archives and special collections

For deeper research, Auburn Avenue’s archives and special collections are its heart. While specific holdings evolve, they typically include:

• Manuscript collections related to Atlanta civil rights organizations, Black churches, local activists, and community groups
• Historic photographs of Atlanta neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and public figures
• Pamphlets, rare books, and ephemera documenting Black life and culture
• Atlanta- and Georgia-focused materials that are hard to find elsewhere

Because some archival items are rare or fragile, access may be in a supervised reading room and may require advance planning.

Using the Library: Access, Cards, and Research Help

Do you need a library card?

For basic use (browsing shelves, attending programs, doing on-site research), you typically do not need to be a Fulton County resident. But:

• A Fulton County Library System card is generally required for:
  • Checking out circulating books and media
  • Using certain digital resources and databases from home

If you live in Atlanta or Fulton County, you can usually sign up for a card at any branch with proof of identity and local address. Non-residents may have different options or limitations, so it’s smart to ask at the front desk.

Getting research assistance

If you’re doing targeted research—especially on Atlanta or Georgia topics—staff can often help you:

• Identify which collections might be relevant
• Learn how to request archival materials
• Understand rules for using special collections, including handling materials and taking notes or photos

📞 Practical step:
Call ahead or email through the Fulton County Library System’s contact page to:

• Confirm whether an appointment is recommended for archival research
• Ask if specific collections are onsite or require special prep to access

Programs, Events, and Exhibits

The Auburn Avenue Research Library is also a lively cultural space, not just a quiet reading room.

Common types of programs

Events often include:

• Author talks and book discussions – especially focused on Black writers and topics related to Atlanta, the South, and the African diaspora
• Film screenings and panel discussions – sometimes tied to current events, historical anniversaries, or social issues
• Lectures and symposia – on history, literature, art, and community issues
• Workshops and community programs – such as writing workshops, youth programming, or genealogy introductions

If you’re trying to plug into Atlanta’s literary community, Auburn Avenue’s programming can be a good way to meet local writers, scholars, and engaged residents.

Exhibitions

The library regularly hosts rotating exhibits that may feature:

• Historical documents and photographs from the archives
• Art and photography by Black artists
• Themed displays tied to civil rights, local history, or cultural milestones

These exhibits make the library a good stop even if you’re just visiting downtown and have an hour to explore.

Quick Overview: Key Details at a Glance

Planning Your Visit as an Atlantan or Visitor

How much time to allow

• Quick visit (30–60 minutes):
  • Explore exhibits, browse a few shelves, and get a feel for the space
• Focused research (2–3 hours or more):
  • Ideal if you’re digging into archives, genealogy, or a specific historical or literary topic
• Event day:
  • Arrive early, especially for popular author talks or film screenings, to get good seating and parking

Good pairings for a day in Atlanta

Because of its location, Auburn Avenue fits well into a history and culture day in downtown/Old Fourth Ward:

• Start at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
• Walk or take the streetcar to Auburn Avenue Research Library
• Have lunch at Sweet Auburn Curb Market
• Continue to nearby Edgewood Avenue or the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail if you want more exploring

Using Auburn Avenue for Genealogy and Local History

If you’re tracing Black family roots in Atlanta or the South, this library can be especially useful:

• Staff may direct you to local history collections, including city directories, church histories, and organizational records.
• You may find materials related to historically Black neighborhoods, schools, and institutions in Atlanta.
• Combined with other resources—like the National Archives at Atlanta, local churches, and county records offices—the Auburn Avenue Research Library can be an important piece of a broader genealogy strategy.

Calling ahead to explain what you’re researching can help staff suggest the best times and resources for your visit.

How Auburn Avenue Fits into Literary Atlanta

For anyone mapping out literary Atlanta and bookstores, the Auburn Avenue Research Library stands out as:

• A research hub for Black literature, criticism, and cultural studies
• A community space where local and visiting authors often appear
• A companion to other Atlanta literary stops, such as:
  • Independent bookstores around downtown, the Old Fourth Ward, and beyond
  • University libraries and cultural centers focused on African American studies
  • Museums and archives that tell overlapping stories of Atlanta’s writers and activists

If you’re serious about understanding Atlanta’s Black literary and intellectual history, Auburn Avenue is more than a library—it’s a key reference point.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• Check hours:
  Hours can differ from other Fulton County branches and may change for events or holidays.
• Bring ID:
  Helpful if you want a library card or need to use certain research areas.
• Ask about photography rules:
  Some exhibits and archival materials have restrictions.
• Plan for quiet vs. event time:
  Research visits are often easiest outside of major program times, when the building can be busier.
• Combine with other stops:
  Because of the central location, it’s easy to fold this visit into a broader tour of Atlanta’s civil rights and cultural landmarks.

For Atlantans and visitors alike, the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is one of the most direct ways to connect with the city’s Black intellectual, literary, and historical legacy—right in the heart of where so much of that history unfolded.