Atlanta, GA Universities Yearbooks: Where to Find Them and How to Use Them

If you’re looking for Atlanta, GA universities yearbooks—whether for nostalgia, family history, or local research—you have more options than you might expect. Atlanta is home to several major universities, and each has its own traditions and systems for preserving student yearbooks.

This guide walks through the main Atlanta universities, where their yearbooks are kept, how to access them, and what to do if you can’t easily visit campus.

Why University Yearbooks Matter in Atlanta

University yearbooks in Atlanta are useful for:

• Finding photos and listings of former students
• Confirming years of attendance or graduation
• Researching campus life and organizations in a certain era
• Family and genealogy projects connected to Atlanta

Most Atlanta schools keep yearbooks in campus archives or libraries, and some have started digitizing older volumes. Access policies vary by school, so it helps to know where to start.

Major Atlanta Universities and Their Yearbooks

Below is a quick overview of the largest universities in Atlanta and where their yearbooks are usually held.

Below, you’ll find more detail on how to approach each institution as an Atlanta resident or visitor.

Georgia State University Yearbooks (Downtown Atlanta)

Location context:
Georgia State University’s main campus is in downtown Atlanta, with its main library along Decatur Street.

Where yearbooks are kept

• Georgia State University Library – Atlanta Campus
  • Address: 100 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Yearbooks are typically held in Special Collections & Archives.
• Older yearbooks may be available in print and sometimes digital formats.

How to access GSU yearbooks

1. Plan a library visit.
   Check the GSU Library hours, then visit the Atlanta Campus Library. When you arrive, ask at the information desk for help locating:

   • “Georgia State yearbooks”
   • “Rampway” or other historic yearbook titles

2. Ask for Special Collections & Archives.
   Some yearbooks may be in non-circulating collections, meaning:

   • You’ll view them on-site in a reading room.
   • You may be asked to sign in and follow handling guidelines.

3. Remote or off-site options.
   If you’re not able to visit downtown:

   • Contact the library by phone or email and ask about digital yearbook access or scans of specific pages (for example, a graduation year and student name).

Georgia Tech Yearbooks (Midtown Atlanta)

Location context:
Georgia Institute of Technology sits in Midtown Atlanta, just west of the I‑75/85 connector.

Yearbook details

• Georgia Tech’s yearbook is traditionally called “The Blueprint.”
• It documents student life, engineering and science programs, clubs, and campus traditions.

Where to find Georgia Tech yearbooks

• Georgia Tech Library
  • Address: 704 Cherry St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
• Archives & Special Collections within the library generally manage the older volumes.

Access tips for Atlanta residents

• Visit the library during normal business hours and ask for Blueprint yearbooks.
• Some years may be available in digital form, especially earlier volumes.
• If you’re researching a relative who attended Tech, bring:
  • Approximate years of attendance
  • Possible major or organization names (fraternities, clubs, athletic teams)

This helps staff guide you to the correct volumes more quickly.

Emory University Yearbooks (Druid Hills / Emory Area)

Location context:
Emory University’s main campus is just east of the Atlanta city limits, in the Druid Hills / Emory area, but it serves many Atlanta residents and is commonly considered part of the broader Atlanta academic community.

Yearbook information

• Historically, Emory has published yearbooks under titles such as “The Campus” and others over time.
• Yearbooks cover Emory College, graduate schools, and student organizations.

Where to go

• Robert W. Woodruff Library – Emory University
  • Address: 540 Asbury Cir, Atlanta, GA 30322
• Yearbooks are usually housed within University Archives or Special Collections.

Using Emory yearbooks

• On-site:
  • Stop at the information desk and ask for assistance with Emory yearbooks in the archives.
  • Some materials are kept in closed stacks and retrieved by staff.
• Off-site:
  • Contact the archives by phone or email and ask about:
    • Digital yearbook collections
    • Photocopy or scan requests of specific pages or years

Clark Atlanta, Spelman, and Morehouse Yearbooks (Atlanta University Center)

The Atlanta University Center (AUC) is a major academic hub in the West End / southwest Atlanta area and includes:

• Clark Atlanta University (CAU)
• Spelman College
• Morehouse College
• Several other institutions and affiliated centers

This area is especially important for those researching African American educational history and family lines in Atlanta.

AUC Woodruff Library: Central Resource

Many yearbook and archival materials for CAU, Spelman, and Morehouse are connected through the:

• Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
  Address: 111 James P. Brawley Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

The AUC Woodruff Library supports:

• Clark Atlanta University
• Spelman College
• Morehouse College
• Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)

What you can find there

• Yearbooks from:
  • Clark Atlanta University and its predecessor institutions
  • Spelman College
  • Morehouse College
• Related archival materials like:
  • Student newspapers
  • Alumni publications
  • Campus photos and memorabilia

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) Yearbooks

Campus location:
223 James P. Brawley Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

Where to look

• CAU Archives and Special Collections, often coordinated through or in conjunction with the AUC Woodruff Library.
• Ask specifically for Clark Atlanta yearbooks and, if relevant, yearbooks from predecessor schools (for historical research going back before the current name).

Spelman College Yearbooks

Campus location:
350 Spelman Ln SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

Access points

• Spelman College Archives & Special Collections, often accessible through the AUC Woodruff Library network.
• Yearbooks typically list:
  • Senior photos
  • Club and organization memberships
  • Campus activities and traditions

If you are visiting in person, you can start at the AUC Woodruff Library and request guidance to Spelman yearbooks for specific years.

Morehouse College Yearbooks

Campus location:
830 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

Where to ask

• Morehouse College Archives & Special Collections, coordinated with AUC archival resources.
• Morehouse yearbooks can be especially useful for:
  • Confirming attendance of well-known alumni
  • Tracing student organizations and fraternities

When contacting the AUC Woodruff Library, mention you’re looking for Morehouse College yearbooks and provide estimated years.

Tips for Accessing University Yearbooks in Atlanta

Whether you’re a local resident or visiting from out of town, these steps can help you navigate Atlanta university yearbooks efficiently.

1. Narrow Down the Year and School

Before you visit or call:

• Identify the university (GSU, Georgia Tech, Emory, CAU, Spelman, Morehouse).
• Estimate the years of attendance or graduation.
• Note any clubs, fraternities, sports, or majors; this can make it easier to locate the right pages.

2. Contact the Library or Archives in Advance

Most university libraries in Atlanta welcome public visitors, but:

• Some special collections require an appointment.
• There may be limited hours for archives or reading rooms.

When you call or email, mention:

• That you are looking for university yearbooks.
• The specific school and time period.
• Whether you can visit in person or need digital assistance.

📌 Tip: Ask if there is a visitor check-in process, parking instructions, or photo ID requirement for building access.

3. Plan for On-Site Use Only

Many Atlanta university yearbooks:

• Do not circulate (you can’t check them out).
• Must be used inside the archive or reading room.
• Require:
  • Clean hands
  • No food or drink near materials
  • Possibly using book cradles or supports for fragile volumes

If you need copies, ask whether:

• Scanning or photocopying pages is allowed.
• There are fees for copies or digital scans.

4. Explore Digital Yearbook Options

Several Atlanta universities have started digitizing older yearbooks. Availability will vary, but common options include:

• On-site digital terminals at the library
• Online digital collections accessible remotely
• Email requests where staff send scanned pages for a small fee or under specific conditions

If you live in Atlanta but can’t visit a particular campus, ask the library about:

• Remote research support
• How to submit a reference request for yearbook lookups

Other Places in Atlanta to Check for University Yearbooks

Beyond campus libraries, you may find yearbooks or related material at larger local institutions.

Atlanta History Center

• Address: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

The Atlanta History Center maintains extensive collections related to Atlanta’s history, which may include:

• Local college materials
• Student publications
• Donated personal collections that include university yearbooks

If you’re researching multiple institutions or older Atlanta families, this can be a helpful secondary stop.

Fulton County Public Library System (Central Library)

• Central Library (Fulton County Library System)
  Address: 1 Margaret Mitchell Sq, Atlanta, GA 30303

Some public library branches, especially the Central Library downtown, may have:

• Select university materials
• Local history collections
• Reference staff who can guide you toward the correct university archives

While the public library likely won’t have full runs of university yearbooks, it can be a useful starting point if you are unsure which campus to contact.

Practical Checklist for Atlanta University Yearbook Research

Use this quick checklist to stay organized:

1. Identify the school:
   Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, Clark Atlanta, Spelman, or Morehouse.

2. Gather details:

   • Full name of the person you’re researching
   • Approximate years in school
   • Campus organizations, sports, or majors (if known)

3. Find the right library or archive:

   • University library on the relevant campus
   • AUC Woodruff Library for CAU, Spelman, and Morehouse
   • Emory’s Woodruff Library for Emory yearbooks
   • Georgia Tech Library or GSU Library for those institutions

4. Call or email ahead:

   • Confirm hours and any appointment requirements
   • Ask about digital vs. print availability
   • Clarify copying / scanning policies

5. Visit prepared:

   • Bring a photo ID (often needed for campus entry)
   • Have your list of names and years ready
   • Allow enough time; research can take longer than expected

6. If you can’t visit:

   • Request remote lookup or scans
   • Ask for guidance on any online digital yearbook collections

By focusing on the right Atlanta university library or archive and preparing a bit in advance, you can usually locate the yearbooks you need—whether you’re confirming a family member’s graduation photo, exploring campus history, or documenting Atlanta’s academic past.