John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library

John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library is a renowned research library located in the Atlanta University Center, serving Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College. The library is named after John Hope, a prominent African American educator and Morehouse College president, and Aurelia E. Franklin, a distinguished Spelman College alumna and National Council of Negro Women leader. The library's establishment was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, Ford Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York. The library's mission is to support the academic and research endeavors of its constituent institutions, including Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Georgia State University.

● History

The John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library was established in 1983, following the merger of the Atlanta University and Clark College libraries. The library's history is closely tied to the development of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, including Tuskegee University, Howard University, and Fisk University. The library has undergone significant renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in 2005, supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The library has also partnered with other institutions, such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, to enhance its collections and services.

● Architecture

The John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library is housed in a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed by the architectural firm Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott. The building features a striking atrium, United States Green Building Council-certified sustainable design, and advanced technology infrastructure, including Cisco Systems and Microsoft Corporation solutions. The library's architecture is inspired by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, and Norman Foster, and its design has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects and National Trust for Historic Preservation. The library's physical space is also equipped with Herman Miller furniture and Steelcase workstations, providing a comfortable and productive environment for students and researchers from Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Collections

The John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library boasts a diverse and extensive collection of over 500,000 volumes, including rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials related to African American studies, African diaspora, and Civil Rights Movement. The library's collections are complemented by its partnerships with other institutions, such as the New York Public Library, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Michigan, providing access to a vast array of digital resources, including JSTOR, EBSCO Information Services, and ProQuest. The library is also a member of the Association of Research Libraries, OCLC, and HathiTrust Digital Library, and its collections are searchable through the Online Computer Library Center and Ex Libris Group.

● Services

The John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library offers a range of services to support the academic and research needs of its users, including interlibrary loan services, information literacy instruction, and research assistance from American Library Association-certified librarians. The library also provides access to various digital tools and platforms, such as Turnitin, EndNote, and Zotero, and its MakerSpace is equipped with 3D printing technology from Stratasys and MakerBot. The library's services are designed to support the academic success of students from Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University, as well as researchers from National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy.

● Impact

The John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library has a significant impact on the academic and research community, serving as a hub for scholarly research and innovation in the Atlanta University Center and beyond. The library's collections and services support the academic programs of its constituent institutions, including business administration programs at Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, and public health programs at Morehouse School of Medicine. The library's partnerships with other institutions, such as Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, also facilitate collaborative research and knowledge-sharing, advancing the STEM fields and social sciences. The library's impact is further amplified through its engagement with the broader community, including Atlanta Public Library, Fulton County Library System, and Georgia Humanities Council. Category:Libraries in Georgia