Friends of the Athens Drive Community Library

There will be a meeting at Athens Drive High School on Monday, April 14, from 5-6pm to discuss the upcoming renovations:

An article from the Indy on February 19, 2025; click the above image to view the article

Click here to read a letter from Jane Harrison, representative from District D, on behalf of the Raleigh City Council and Mayor Janet Cowell, in support of keeping the Athens Drive Community Library in our neighborhood.

The Athens Drive Community Library has been a valued part of the community for 46 years. Through threat of closure three times in the last 15 years, limited hours, far fewer events and digital services than other libraries, the Friends of Athens Drive Community Library have fought to keep the library open. The library bond secured funding for a new, freestanding library outside of the high school, but officials are considering moving it out of our community. The Friends of the ADCL strongly support a location for the replacement library that is close to the high school, so it will continue to serve our community and surrounding areas. We need more voices to remind decision makers how much the library means to our neighborhoods. Follow us to stay updated on events and to learn how to make comments at public meetings. We need your help.

What are the Friends of the ADCL asking of officials making the decision on the new library location?  First and foremost, we want transparency and public input into site selection. We are also asking that the Wake County School Board, City of Raleigh and the Wake County commissioners collaborate to find the best location for our community, taking into account accessibility to public transportation and walkability.

An excellent article about the bond, and the campaign to keep the library replacement in our neighborhood, appeared in the News and Observer on February 4, 2025, and may be read here.

An interview with Yevonne Brannon, chair of the Friends of Athens Drive Community Library, that aired on ABC-11 on February 5 may be viewed here.