Athens-Clarke County, East Side Public Library Study + Design
As part of the SPLOST capital improvement projects, the new East Side Public Library will serve residents in a growing part of Athens-Clarke County. This full-service branch will impact the community by broadening access to programs and technology.
Data-Driven Site Selection and Planning
The East Side Public Library began with a planning process following the approval of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum. Working alongside the Athens-Clarke County user group and SPLOST program managers, our team used a data-informed approach to determine the best location for the new branch.
The team evaluated each of the 14,000 proposed sites using GIS, ESRI mapping, demographic research, and surveys from user groups. Factors included proximity to schools, walkability, multimodal access, demographic alignment, public safety, sustainability, visibility, developable square footage, and site conditions. The top 10 sites were presented at community forums, then narrowed to three with conceptual plans and cost models and ranked for ACC Commission approval.
Expanding Library Services for Athens, GA
Sustainability will play a central role in the new library. By incorporating environmentally responsible design and technology, the goal is a net zero and Earthcraft Light Commercial certified building. The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County envisions the East Side Public Library as a welcoming destination that fosters connection and lifelong learning.
East Side Public Library will include:
All-ages programming
Meeting rooms for community groups
Access to computers and business incubator resources
Creative spaces equipped with emerging technology
Comfortable reading areas and an expanded collection of books