Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon
🏢 Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System — Atlanta, Georgia
Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon
The former Ponce de Leon Branch was renamed in 2021 for Joan P. Garner, Fulton County's first openly LGBTQ commissioner and a champion of the library system, a short walk from the Atlanta BeltLine.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 980 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Phone: (404) 613-7310
Website: fulcolibrary.org
📖 About Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon
The Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon sits at 980 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, at the intersection of Frederica Street and Ponce, within walking distance of the Atlanta BeltLine and the surrounding intown neighborhoods. On August 30, 2021, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to rename the longtime Ponce de Leon Branch in memory of Commissioner Joan P. Garner, who represented District 4 and became the county's first openly LGBTQ commissioner in 2011 before her death in 2017. A steadfast supporter of the Library Bond Program, Garner worked to bring modern library facilities to residents across Fulton County, making the naming a fitting tribute. The branch serves its neighborhood with a computer lab, meeting and study rooms, and after-hours book returns, and it also functions as an early-voting location during elections. Regular programming ranges from storytimes and tech-help classes to LEGO club and craft activities for patrons of all ages.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Renamed in 2021 to honor Commissioner Joan P. Garner, a library champion
- Namesake was Fulton County's first openly LGBTQ commissioner (District 4)
- Walkable to the Atlanta BeltLine at Ponce and Frederica
- Computer lab, meeting/study rooms, after-hours returns, and early-voting site
📱 Free with an Atlanta-Fulton Library Card
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the Joan P. Garner Library?
In August 2021 the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to rename the Ponce de Leon Branch in memory of Commissioner Joan P. Garner, a strong supporter of the library system's bond program who died in 2017.
Who was Joan P. Garner?
Garner represented District 4 on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and, in 2011, became the county's first openly LGBTQ commissioner. She was an activist for LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS causes and a dedicated advocate for modern public library facilities.
Does this branch offer services beyond borrowing books?
Yes. In addition to its collection, it provides a computer lab, meeting and study rooms, after-hours book returns, and community programming, and it serves as an early-voting location during elections.