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Publisher and AFPL Board Member Michelle Taylor Willis with Author Charmaine Wilkerson

Featured Article

The Place Everyone Belongs

Your Fulton County Library and One Book, One Read

Photography by Courtesy of Fulton County Library System

Originally published in SOFU Lifestyle

Across Fulton County, libraries are doing far more than lending books—they’re building bridges. Libraries serve as gathering spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to learn, connect, and grow.

From story time circles filled with laughter to lively book clubs and technology workshops, the 34 Fulton County library branches are cornerstones of community life. They are where a retiree learns to use a tablet alongside a teen exploring coding, and parents discover early literacy programs that spark a love of reading in their children. As seen in SoFu Lifestyle, the Library Dads movement started at the Wolf Creek Library? These shared experiences create the kind of everyday connections that strengthen neighborhoods.

Libraries also play a vital role in equity and access. With free internet, digital tools, and educational resources, they help close the information gap—empowering residents to pursue opportunities, find jobs, and stay informed. In a county as large and diverse as Fulton, that accessibility means everyone has a place to belong and to build a better future.

But perhaps the most powerful thing libraries offer is community itself. Local branches host author talks, small business workshops, cultural festivals, and civic forums that celebrate the voices and stories of our region. They’re spaces where creativity thrives and dialogue deepens, a reminder that knowledge and connection go hand in hand.

Our libraries continue to evolve to meet the needs of a changing county. Whether it’s a child discovering their first favorite book, a student finding quiet focus, or neighbors gathering for a shared cause, the library stands at the center of it all—proof that the best stories don’t just live on the shelves; they happen every day within our community.

One Book, One Read is the Fulton County Library System’s county-wide annual read-along that includes book clubs, writer workshops and a culminating conversation with the author. It brings family, friends, neighbors and community members together for a shared experience, building community and encouraging literacy skills. The 2025 featured title was Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson. 

Learn more about Fulton County’s libraries at fulcolibrary.org. To help keep these vital programs and connections thriving, consider making a gift to the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation at afplf.org/donate.