DeKalb County Public Library

DeKalb County Public Library

Decatur Library - Serves as central library
Established 1907
Branches 21 libraries
1 homework center
Access and use
Circulation 2,680,976 (2015)
Population served 718,000 (2015)
Members 163,243 (2015)
Other information
Budget $12.4 million (2013)
Director Alison Weissinger[1]
Staff 227 full-time (2013)
58 part-time (2013)
Website www.dekalblibrary.org


The DeKalb County Public Library (DCPL) is the public library system of DeKalb County, Georgia in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The library system headquarters are in the Decatur Library Decatur.[2][3]

Its collection includes over 800,000 books; collections of over 400 magazines, academic and scientific journals, and newspapers; and audiovisual materials including videotapes, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs.[4] Library patrons can also access a variety of databases and online references through the GALILEO (GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online) system. The library currently operates 22 branches located throughout the county, with construction of two additional branches planned.[5]

DeKalb County Public Library offers important literacy services, such as, Adult Basic Education (ABE) that helps adults learn basic skills in math, reading and language development. English as a second language (ESL) classes provide basic through advanced instruction in the speaking, reading, writing, grammar and syntax of English for speakers of other languages. Library offers, online resources and learning tools, such as, learning computers and other services. The library has test preparations resources for exams such as GED, ASVAB and many others. Literacy Outreach includes many programs and services outside the library building, such as, Project Horizons, Project Reap and Health Literacy.

As of 2013, the library served a population of almost 707,000, of whom over 164,000 had library cards.[6] The library system had 227 full-time and 58 part-time employees, and a budget of over $12.4 million.[7]

List of branches

Libraries in incorporated areas
Libraries in unincorporated areas
  • Briarcliff Library (Briarcliff community)
  • Scott Candler Library
  • Covington Library
  • Embry Hills Library (Embry Hills community)
  • Flat Shoals Library
  • Gresham Library
  • Hairston Crossing Library
  • Northlake-Barbara Loar Library (Northlake community)
  • Redan-Trotti Library
  • Salem-Panola Library
  • Stonecrest Library
  • Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library (Toco Hills community)
  • Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library (Tucker community)
  • Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library
Planned new branches
  • Ellenwood
  • Northeast Plaza
Other facilities
  • Scottdale-Tobie Grant Homework Center (Unincorporated area)

History

The first public library in the county was opened in 1907, in Lithonia. In 1925 a larger public library was founded in Decatur, the county seat of DeKalb County. In 1952 branches of the Decatur Library were established in Brookhaven and Doraville, and the Decatur Library was renamed the Decatur-DeKalb Library.[9] The previously independent public library in Lithonia also joined the Decatur-DeKalb system, although the Lithonia library maintained a separate library board until 1971.[10] As the DeKalb Regional Library System, the library provided services for neighboring Rockdale County from 1951 to 1989, and also for Newton County from 1953 to 1989; in 1989 the regional library system was disbanded and each of the three counties established its own separate library system.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Administrative Staff". DeKalb County Public Library. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Contact Us." DeKalb County Public Library. Retrieved on January 11, 2012. "DeKalb County Public Library Administrative Offices 215 Sycamore Street Decatur, Georgia 30030"
  3. ↑ "Decatur Library." DeKalb County Public Library. Retrieved on January 11, 2012. "215 Sycamore Street Decatur, GA 30030"
  4. ↑ DeKalb County Public Library homepage: Library Collections
  5. ↑ DeKalb County Public Library homepage: Branches
  6. ↑ DeKalb County Public Library homepage: Statistics
  7. ↑ DeKalb County 2013 Annual Budget, pp. 196-200
  8. ↑ "Decatur Library." DeKalb County Public Library. Accessed October 27, 2008.
  9. ↑ DeKalb County Public Library homepage: History
  10. ↑ DeKalb County Public Library homepage: History of the Lithonia Public Library (via Internet Archive)
  11. ↑ Newton County Public Library homepage: A Short History of the Library

External links

Coordinates: 33°46′27″N 84°17′38″W / 33.77410°N 84.29394°W / 33.77410; -84.29394

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