Library System Wants Input on Alpharetta, Milton Branches

UPDATED: Dreams of a new library in North Fulton are coming true–times three. And now the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System wants to hear from you.

“In North Fulton the new library projects include Alpharetta, East Roswell and Milton,” said Kelly Robinson, Public Relations and Marketing director for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

Thanks to a 2008 bond referendum, all three cities can look forward to new library locations. But the rest is still to-be-determined, which is why community involvement is so critical at this point, according to library representatives.

Residents who can't make the Alpharetta Library public input meeting next week because they are out of town on Spring break can still take an online survey to help shape the future for the new facilities. The survey asks residents what they want and don’t want to see for the new libraries. Questions regarding how individuals travel to the library, which features they use most often and what programs are most important to them are all listed within the questionnaire.

North Fulton’s new libraries are part of major improvements to the entire Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, thanks to an approval of the library bond referendum during the general election of November 2008. The system is currently planning to make enhancements with eight new libraries, two expanded facilities and 23 library renovations.

The new North Fulton libraries–which have not been formerly named at this point–are part of Phase I, which is being overseen by the project management company, Heery/Russell. Locations for the new facilities have yet to be selected by the Library Board of Trustees, which is in the middle of the site selection process. Once they have received enough information and input, they will send their recommendations to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners for final determination. Tentative opening dates for the new libraries have been set for 2013.

Alpharetta has a 10,000 square foot library branch, which has been deemed much too small for the population and number of visitors to it.

"Alpharetta is a world-class city, but one thing that we currently are in need of is a world-class library that adequately meets the needs of our citizen," said James Drinkard, Alpharetta's assistant city administator.

"Look at usership rates of the libraries within the system aand Alpharetta is consistently one of the highest," he said. "And so the residents have clearly indicated through their vote in support of bonds for library construction that they want a library up here.

"The city is very much committed to doing what we can to encourage that to happen sooner rather than later," Drinkard said.

Alpharetta Library – Tuesday, April 5, 7 p.m. at .

Milton Library – Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m. at (located in Milton City Hall).

East Roswell Library – Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at the East Roswell Community Center, 9000 Fouts Road.