On November 4, Fulton County voters will vote on a $275 million bond referendum for the construction, expansion and renovation of the public libraries. If approved, the bonds would provide funding for the detailed Library Facility Master Plan, which includes 8 new libraries, expansion of 2 libraries, and renovation of 23 libraries. The bond issue also includes $84 million for the construction of a new Central Library, with the remaining (approximately $85 million) coming from private funds.

The library’s master plan was developed over the course of 24 months and included a series of public input sessions throughout the county. The plan maintains 34 libraries, the current number of libraries in the system, by eliminating leased spaces and its oldest libraries. Fulton County last issued a library bond in 1988.

“I am thrilled that voters will have the opportunity to make this decision affecting the future of our library system,” said Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves, who also serves on the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System’s Board of Trustees. “Libraries represent an investment in the future of this county, and there has been a great deal of public interest in improvement to our libraries.” John F. Szabo, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Director, said, “This is a great day for libraries and for the Fulton County citizens who value what libraries bring to their community. We are grateful for the leadership of the Board of Commissioners in recognizing the importance of public libraries and to the citizens who continue to voice their support and opinions. We are one step closer to having the world-class library system we know Fulton County residents want and deserve.” A summary of the Library Master Plan is available on the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System website, www.afpls.org.