Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Atlanta offers outstanding library resources throughout the capital of the New South, from the modern Atlanta-Fulton Central Library to Georgia State University's late-night study haven open until 2:00 AM. Whether you need MARTA-accessible downtown branches or university libraries serving three major research institutions, this complete guide covers Atlanta-Fulton Public Library's 34 branches, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and Emory University.
✨ Atlanta Library Highlights:
- 🏛️ Central Library: Modern downtown hub (1980, renovated 2010), One Margaret Mitchell Square
- 📚 34 AFPL Branches: Throughout Fulton County
- 🎓 Georgia State Library: Open until 2:00 AM Sun-Thu (24/7 during finals!)
- 🏫 Georgia Tech: Premier STEM library, open until midnight
- 🎓 Emory Woodruff: Beautiful campus, extensive research collections
- 🚇 MARTA Access: Peachtree Center to Central, North Ave to GT
- 💳 FREE Library Cards: For all Fulton County residents
1. Atlanta-Fulton Public Library - Central Library
The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Central Library at One Margaret Mitchell Square (corner of Peachtree & Carnegie) serves as Atlanta's flagship library. The modern building houses extensive collections, the Auburn Avenue Research Library collections, and study spaces in the heart of downtown.
📚 Central Library Features:
- 6 Floors: Extensive collections serving metro Atlanta
- Special Collections: Georgia history, genealogy, rare books
- Study Rooms: Multiple group study rooms + quiet individual study areas
- Computer Commons: 100+ public computers with printing
- Career Center: Job search resources, resume help
- Margaret Mitchell Gallery: Exhibits on "Gone with the Wind" author
Atlanta-Fulton Central Library Hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
🚇 How to Get There (MARTA Rail):
Best Option: Red or Gold Line to Peachtree Center Station
Walk: 3 blocks north on Peachtree Street to Carnegie Way (7-minute walk)
Alternative: Blue/Green Line to Five Points, walk 5 blocks north on Peachtree
Address: One Margaret Mitchell Square (Peachtree St & Carnegie Way), Atlanta, GA 30303
Parking: Nearby parking decks on Ellis St and Carnegie Way
2. Popular Atlanta-Fulton Library Branches
📍 Buckhead Branch Library
269 Buckhead Ave NE - Upscale north Atlanta, modern facility
| Monday-Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
📍 Ponce de Leon Branch
980 Ponce de Leon Ave NE - Midtown location, popular with students
| Monday-Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
📍 Sandy Springs Branch
395 Mt. Vernon Hwy NE, Sandy Springs - North Metro, large modern library
| Monday-Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
📍 East Point Branch
2757 Main St, East Point - South Metro, community hub
| Monday-Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday-Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
📝 Note: Branch hours may vary. Check Atlanta-Fulton Public Library for complete 34-branch directory and holiday closures.
3. Georgia State University Library ⭐ Best for Late-Night Study
Georgia State University Library is Atlanta's late-night study champion, open until 2:00 AM Sunday-Thursday during fall/spring semesters (extended to 24/7 during finals weeks!). The modern 8-floor library serves 53,000+ GSU students and welcomes public visitors.
✨ GSU Library Late-Night Study Features:
- Open Until 2:00 AM: Sunday-Thursday during regular semester (latest in Atlanta!)
- 24/7 Finals Access: Building stays open continuously during final exam weeks
- 8 Floors: 1.4 million volumes, extensive study seating
- Quiet Study Floors: Upper floors = silent study only
- Study Rooms: 100+ group study rooms (reservable online)
- Downtown Location: Heart of GSU campus, near Five Points MARTA
Georgia State University Library Hours (Fall/Spring Semester):
| Day | Regular Hours | Finals Week |
|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
| Friday | 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM | OPEN 24 HOURS |
⚠️ Summer/break hours shorter. Check GSU Library for current semester schedule.
🚇 Getting to Georgia State Campus:
MARTA Rail: Blue or Green Line to Five Points Station
Walk from Station: 2-minute walk to library on Decatur St
From Airport: Red or Gold Line to Five Points (15-minute ride)
Parking: GSU visitor parking in G Deck or M Deck ($6/day)
Address: 100 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
4. Georgia Institute of Technology - Library
Georgia Tech Library on the midtown campus offers late hours until midnight and serves as one of the nation's premier STEM research libraries. Public visitors are welcome during regular hours.
📚 Georgia Tech Library Highlights:
- Premier STEM Library: Engineering, computer science, sciences focus
- Open Until Midnight: Sunday-Thursday (late for undergrad library!)
- 4 Floors: 3+ million volumes, extensive digital collections
- Clough Commons: Undergraduate learning commons with café
- Study Spaces: Quiet floors, collaborative areas, 80+ study rooms
- Public Welcome: Non-GT visitors can access for research/study
Georgia Tech Library Hours (Fall/Spring Semesters):
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 7:30 AM - Midnight |
| Friday | 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - Midnight |
⚠️ Summer/break hours shorter. Extended hours (sometimes 24/7) during finals.
🚇 Getting to Georgia Tech Campus:
MARTA Rail: Red or Gold Line to North Avenue Station
Walk from Station: 5-minute walk west through campus to library
From Downtown: Red/Gold Line north to North Ave (5 minutes)
Parking: Visitor parking in North Avenue lots ($8/day)
Address: 266 Fourth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
5. Emory University - Woodruff Library
Emory University Woodruff Library on the beautiful Druid Hills campus offers extensive research collections and traditional reading rooms. Public visitors are welcome during daytime hours.
📖 Emory Woodruff Library Highlights:
- 10 Floors: 3.9 million volumes (largest in Georgia!)
- Beautiful Campus: 630-acre wooded campus in Druid Hills
- Special Collections: Rose Library with rare books, manuscripts
- Health Sciences Library: Premier medical library
- Study Spaces: Traditional reading rooms, modern collaborative spaces
- Public Access: Welcome during regular hours
Emory Woodruff Library Hours (Fall/Spring Semesters):
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 7:30 AM - 2:00 AM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - Midnight |
⚠️ Summer/break hours shorter. Public access may be limited after certain hours.
🚌 Getting to Emory Campus:
MARTA Bus: Route 6 from Lindbergh Station to Emory campus
Emory Cliff Shuttle: Free shuttle from Lindbergh MARTA (Mon-Fri)
From Downtown: Take MARTA to Lindbergh, then bus/shuttle
Parking: Visitor parking in Peavine Deck ($3/hour)
Address: 540 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322
6. Atlanta Library Cards & Access
💳 Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Card:
| Eligibility | Cost | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton County Residents | FREE | Valid ID with Fulton County address |
| Non-Residents | $70/year | Valid ID with current address |
| Children (under 18) | FREE | Parent/guardian must be present with ID |
Apply in person at any Atlanta-Fulton library branch or Central Library - instant approval!
🎓 University Library Access:
| Library | Public Access | Borrowing Privileges |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia State | Yes - open to public | $100/year community borrower card |
| Georgia Tech | Yes - open to public | $100/year community card |
| Emory | Yes - regular hours | $150/year community membership |
7. Best Atlanta Libraries for Different Needs
🌙 Best for Late-Night Study:
Winner: Georgia State University Library
- Open until 2:00 AM Sun-Thu (latest in Atlanta!)
- 24/7 during finals weeks
- Quiet floors strictly enforced
- 100+ study rooms available
- Downtown MARTA access (Five Points)
🔬 Best for STEM Research:
Winner: Georgia Tech Library
- Premier engineering & computer science collections
- 3+ million volumes in STEM fields
- Late hours (until midnight Sun-Thu)
- Clough Commons learning center
🚇 Best MARTA Accessibility:
Winner: Georgia State University Library
- 2-minute walk from Five Points MARTA
- Direct from airport (Red/Gold Line)
- Downtown location on campus
- Open until 2:00 AM (MARTA runs late!)
📚 Best Research Collections:
Winner: Emory Woodruff Library
- 3.9 million volumes (largest in Georgia)
- Rose Library rare books & manuscripts
- Premier health sciences collections
- Beautiful 10-floor building
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Atlanta Central Library close?
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Central closes at 8:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 6:00 PM Friday-Saturday, and 6:00 PM Sunday. This is the longest hours of any Atlanta-Fulton branch.
Can non-students use Georgia Tech library?
Yes! Georgia Tech Library welcomes public visitors during regular hours. Non-GT visitors can access the library for research and studying, though borrowing books requires GT affiliation or a paid community borrower card ($100/year).
Which Atlanta library is open latest?
Georgia State University Library has the latest hours, open until 2:00 AM Sunday-Thursday during fall/spring semesters (24/7 during finals weeks). Georgia Tech stays open until midnight. Among public libraries, Central Library closes at 8:00 PM Mon-Thu.
Are Atlanta libraries open on Sunday?
Yes, Atlanta-Fulton Central Library is open Sunday 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Georgia State Library: Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM (during semesters). Georgia Tech: Sunday 10:00 AM - midnight. Emory: Sunday 12:00 PM - midnight.
How do I get an Atlanta library card?
Visit any Atlanta-Fulton Public Library branch with valid ID showing Fulton County address. Cards are FREE for Fulton County residents. Non-residents can purchase a card for $70/year. Instant approval - walk out with card same day.
Does Atlanta have 24-hour libraries?
No Atlanta libraries are open 24/7 year-round, but Georgia State University Library extends to 24-hour access during finals weeks (typically 2 weeks in December and May). During regular semester, it closes at 2:00 AM Sunday-Thursday.
How do I get to Atlanta Central Library by MARTA?
Take MARTA Rail (Red or Gold Line) to Peachtree Center Station, then walk 3 blocks north on Peachtree Street to Carnegie Way. The library is at corner of Peachtree & Carnegie. Alternatively, take Blue or Green Line to Five Points and walk 5 blocks north on Peachtree.
Which Atlanta library is best for studying?
Georgia State University Library is best for late-night studying (open until 2:00 AM, quiet floors, 24/7 during finals). For public libraries: Central Library's upper floors offer quiet study rooms. Georgia Tech Library provides excellent STEM study resources. Emory's Woodruff Library offers beautiful traditional study spaces.
🍑 Atlanta Library Insider Tips
📚 Margaret Mitchell Gallery
Central Library's Margaret Mitchell Gallery has original "Gone with the Wind" manuscripts and memorabilia. It's free and most tourists don't know it exists - they all go to the Margaret Mitchell House instead!
🎓 GSU 24/7 Finals Hack
Georgia State goes full 24/7 during finals (December and May). The upper floors stay SILENT - security enforces it. Bring blankets and snacks - the building is cold at 3am and the café closes early.
🚇 MARTA Airport Combo
GSU Library is a 15-minute direct MARTA ride from Hartsfield-Jackson airport. Perfect for layovers - check your bag at GSU, study for a few hours, return for your flight. No transfer needed!
🏫 Emory Rose Library Gem
Emory's Rose Library has rare manuscripts including papers from Martin Luther King Jr., Salman Rushdie, and the TransAtlantic Slave Trade Database. Free to visit with advance appointment.
🔬 Georgia Tech Patent Research
Georgia Tech Library has a Patent & Trademark Resource Center - one of only 82 nationwide. If you're an inventor or startup founder, their librarians can help with patent research for FREE.
☕ Sweet Auburn Coffee Break
Central Library is walking distance from Sweet Auburn Curb Market - Atlanta's oldest public market. Grab soul food or a Cuban sandwich, then return to study. Way better than library vending machines!
📖 Related Resources:
Explore Atlanta's exceptional library system today! Whether you need Georgia State's 2:00 AM late-night hours, Georgia Tech's premier STEM collections, Emory's 3.9 million volumes, or downtown MARTA access to Central Library, Atlanta offers world-class library resources for students, researchers, and community members across the capital of the New South.