The Early Years

Library service began in Cobb County with the Marietta Young Men’s Debating and Library Association in 1874. In 1882 the Franklin Lending Library was opened in the home of Sarah Freeman Clarke and in 1883 the Marietta Library Association was founded. The first library building, the Sarah Freeman Clarke Library opened on Church Street in 1893. In the city of Acworth the Carrie Dyer Reading Club was established in 1889. Austell established library service through the Austell Woman’s Club in the late 1920’s.

Middle Years

Cobb County established a library through the Board of Education in 1948. In 1957 a Cobb County-Marietta Public Library Board organized. Finally, in 1959 the city of Marietta and Cobb County combined bringing the Clarke, Fort Hill and Marietta Place libraries into the Cobb County system. In short order library service began to grow throughout the entire county.

Next?

New branches were opened in East Marietta and Powder Springs. South Cobb opened a branch that was supported with private funds but joined the system a year later. Oakdale (now Lewis A. Ray Branch) was formed the same year, 1962. In 1963 the Acworth Library (from the Carrie Dyer Woman’s Club) joined the system, Kennesaw established a branch and the old Marietta Post Office was renovated to become the Central Library. Shortly in 1964 and 1965 Gritters Branch was established and Sweetwater Valley joined from Austell.

Rapid growth!

The years of 1966-1969 signaled rapid development of library service in Cobb County. A Bond Issue made the construction of seven branches possible and Kennesaw, East Marietta, Acworth, South Cobb, Sibley, Lewis A. Ray, and Powder Springs all opened on the same day in 1967. Finally, in 1969 the Cobb County Public Library System was officially named. New branches were added in 1974 (Stratton) and 1979 (Merchant’s Walk). A Bond Issue in 1987 paved the way for the construction of Central and three new branches that opened in 1989 and 1990. The West Cobb Regional Library was opened in 2003 and the new South Cobb Library opened in 2006.  The newest library is the relocated Powder Springs Library on Atlanta Street in Powder Springs.

1. Bulletin Board Postings and Giveaway Policy
2. Circulation
3. Exam Proctor
4. Internet
5. Interlibrary Loan Guidelines
6. Meeting Rooms
7. Rules for Patrons

Cobb County Public Library System offers Interlibrary Loan (ILL) as a service to all library patrons with valid CCPLS library cards in good standing. All requests for loans must be in accordance with the National Interlibrary Loan Code.

What Items may be requested?

Requests may be made for books or copies of journal or periodical articles.

Libraries do not lend rare or fragile items, audio-visual materials or items in high demand. Most libraries do not lend genealogy, microfilm or items designated as reference in their catalogs. They do not lend books published within the last year. Libraries are under no obligation to lend materials.

There is a limit of five open requests. Items requested must be over $10.00 in value.

An item may be borrowed 1 time within a three-month period for the same patron.

Are there any charges?

The Cobb County Public Library System does not pass on our costs for online searches, postage, insurance, etc.

Lending libraries may impose fees that are passed on to the borrower.

In order to expedite your request, we ask you to indicate the maximum charge you will pay.  Charges are payable by check only.   (We suggest $10.00 per book/$1.00 per page per periodical article.)

You may indicate $0. You will be contacted if the lending agency’s policy exceeds your maximum.

How soon will the item arrive?

Please allow at least two weeks. Fulfillment of the request depends on the availability of the item, prompt handling by the lending institution and time for transit in mail.

ILL procedures prohibit our attempting to expedite a loan through telephone calls to lending institutions.

What is the loan period?

Items are generally lent to the Cobb County Public Library for 3 weeks. The actual time the borrower may have the item depends on how promptly the item is picked up. All items are subject to immediate recall.

Renewals are not automatic. Application must be made to the lending institution before the due date and such applications do not prevent overdues from accruing.

Institutions may designate some items for “in-library-use only”.

What are the late fees?

CCPLS charges $1.00 per day late fee.

The lending agency may impose substantial additional fees and fines for lost, damaged, or late items.

Borrowers are asked to sign the following statement.

I understand that as a borrower, I am responsible for:

Any charges assessed by the lending institution, whether or not I choose to use the item.

Overdue fines of $1.00 per day as assessed by CCPLS and additional overdue fines and/or fees imposed by the lending institution.

Replacement cost plus processing fees, assessed by the lending library, if the item is lost or damaged.

Compliance with the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code.)

I further understand that failure to pick up requested items, failure to pay fines or fees, or failure to return items on time or in good condition may result in the loss of my ILL or library privileges.

The Cobb County Public Library System is obligated by law to offer the opportunity to register to vote to any adult who is registering for or renewing their library card. The voter registration form is available at every Circulation Desk.

Genealogy and Local History
The Georgia Room is an in-depth reference collection that contains over 15,000 books, with a primary emphasis on genealogical and historical materials of Georgia and the Southern states. The collection also includes national genealogical and historical resources and other selected sources.

English as a Second Language or “New Reader” Collections are available at many library locations. These collections feature materials in book, audiocassette and videocassette formats designed to teach reading and the reading of and speaking of English. Searches in the catalog may be conducted using the phrase “new readers” or ESL. The largest collections are at the Sibley Library and Central Library.

Foreign Language
There are materials in foreign languages listed in the library catalog. These include popular and classic fiction and nonfiction translated into languages including: Spanish, French, German, Russian and Chinese.

The Hattie G. Wilson Branch is heavily used by children and teens as a homework library. It supports and encourages the educational achievements of students in the surrounding community. Homework assistance, computers and children’s programs are available.

The Cobb County Public Library Board of Trustees is a nine-member volunteer board made up of local citizens appointed by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. Each trustee serves a 3-year term and may serve successive terms. The trustees set library policy and advise on activities. The Library Board holds regular meetings at the Central Library and branch library locations on a rotating schedule and are open to the public.

2009 Library Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule
The Board will hold regular meetings at 7:30 p.m. at the following libraries:

The Cobb County Public Library System offers a variety of full time and part time employment opportunities encompassing a wide range of experience and educational requirements.

FULL TIME:   Positions must be applied for in person -or- online application filed at:  Cobb County Government Human Resources Department, 100 Cherokee Street, 2nd Floor, Marietta, GA 30090-9679, (770) 528-2555 or (770) 528-2537. 

Note:  All completed employment applications and employee transfer request forms must be submitted to the Recruitment Office by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date in order to be considered.

PART TIME:   Applications are available at all libraries and the South and East Cobb Government offices. These applications may be returned to the branch where the vacancy is located. Once received, applications are kept on file in the Administrative Office for six months.

Link to Printable PART TIME APPLICATION FORM.  Printed forms are accepted for part time application only.   Full time positions must be applied for in person at the Cobb County Government Human Resources Department - or - online.

Return applications to any library or mail to: Cobb County Public Library, 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060, Tel.:  (770) 528-2347 or Fax:  (770) 528-2349.

ALL APPLICANTS:  You must be at least 16 years of age, provide two forms of identification including your Social Security Card and pass a criminal background check.  Applicants must be available to work some Sundays.  For further information, please call (770) 528-2347..

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CONTACT:
Cobb County Public Library
266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA  30060
(770) 528-2320