Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon - Atlanta, Georgia

Staci S.

In the 20 years i have lived here I don’t think I have ever been to this particular library. A few things I wish I knew before entering. 1. It’s a tiny library! 2. You might want to wear a mask! The librarian is super helpful, kind, and attentive, knowledgeable that is the ONLY reason I gave 3 stars ! I didn’t like the computer setup it is way too close for comfort 🙄….. I appreciate how cold it was because germs 🦠 can’t survive Seeing a security guard with a gun at the library makes me wonder am I really safe at the establishment especially when he is sitting in the car instead of being posted visibly at the entrance! I guess I’m not surprise it’s metro Atlanta 🫣

N. D.

The renovated Ponce library is cleaner, but the book collection is less than half of what it was pre-renovation. The new Children's area is cramped, ugly and uninviting. This is in keeping with the overall look and feel of the new Ponce: cold, clinical and angular, like a 60s doctor's office waiting room. But the staff is helpful and efficient.

E. T.

Tried to use this library, ongoing, twice a week for 1 hour, starting back in April to tutor two scholars. You cannot reserve the study rooms so it's first come first serve. Rooms are usually occupied since there's only two of them. Room B is not very user friendly. Seats are small no real desk space because table is connected to chair. There were ants crawling on my students. Room A, nobody in the facility knows how to work the technology big screen in the room. Nor do they have or provide the connection cables necessary to use the technology if you wanted to. No tables in kids area to be able to work and use manipulatives, unless you're a baby or toddler. This library is more adult friendly or toddler friendly. Also, they have a larger meeting room that goes unused and you can only reserve it if you have a 501 C. So my scholars and I went on one of our usual days for tutoring.The two small study rooms were occupied, the other regular tables were taken or had this glass separating the table in half so it was not useful for us because we needed to use materials and manipulatives, and have a place to write/work together. So I asked could the 3 of us use the larger meeting room for our 1 hour of tutoring since it was not being used. We were told no. We'd been coming there for at least a month twice a week. Employees seemed clueless most of the time, and it just wasn't a very welcoming environment for me or the kids I was tutoring. So we stopped going there.

Serena P.

Great little kids alcove and selection of kids books. Staff are kind and helpful, and sometimes have good activities for kids on special occasions. We also have had smooth experiences with early voting here.

jeanettesdaughter

I use this library regularly. The librarians are highly competent and the customer service is good. There is one surly librarian but she is no match for Citizen me! The homeless people in the area-- this is their place, too. The security staff here keep all obnoxious behavior in check and for the most part, the men are well behaved. A shame there are not public restrooms and showers in our cities. That would be the civilized thing to do. The poor will always be with us.

Chris H.

A phenomenal center with always-friendly staff. Don't see the book you're looking for? Simply download the AFPLS app and find it in the library network to have it shipped to this location. With plenty of parking and easy in-and-out access to one of the most iconic streets in Atlanta, this library location is great; and it has the capacity to be exceptional.

While the physical building could use a remodel, this specific, high-traffic location is perhaps the most merited of a renovation in the entire AF library network. Nestled along one of the most prominent, popular, and pivotal roadway arteries of Atlanta, the Ponce Branch has the potential to be an Atlanta icon in and of itself.

N R.

I really enjoyed this library. It's changed a bit since the pandemic. I like the renovations that were made. There are a variety of books cds and open activities to choose from. Over all I give this branch a 10 out of 10.

Stephanie P.

The staff here is amazing! Patient, friendly, knowledgable. This is truly a community library with tons of programs for kids, seniors, teens, art-lovers...anything you can imagine! A real gem - we're lucky to have this resource in our neighborhood.