Buckhead - Atlanta, Georgia - Library

A beloved tradition

Buckhead's first library was located in R.L. Hope School on Piedmont Road, just behind what is now the Grand Hyatt Buckhead hotel. It was founded in 1929 by Ida Williams, a former principal at R.L. Hope. As the library grew, it moved to the McDuffie building on Roswell Road across from what is now Buckhead Triangle Park and was officially named the Ida Williams Library. After Willaims' death in 1936, funds were raised for a permanent building at 49 Buckhead Ave., and a neo-classical red-brick building with a white-columned portico designed by Cooper and Cooper was opened in 1942. In 1990, this community landmark was replaced with the current ultra-modern building designed by architect Mark Scogin, sparking both criticism and praise. Along with the traditional building, the Ida Williams name also was lost, but not to long-time residents.

The Atlanta Fulton Public Library has two branches in Buckhead:

Buckhead (Ida Williams) Branch
269 Buckhead Ave.
(404) 814-3500
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sunday

Northside Branch
3295 Northside Pkwy.
(404) 814-3508
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sunday

The Atlanta History Center library also is open to the public:

Atlanta History Center Library
130 West Paces Ferry Road
(404) 814-4040